Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on January 18, 2021, 08:13:40 PM
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Seems to be a bit in there now that Percy has jumped in on the act. Fee of €15m being discussed. Not agreed yet, but seems to be getting closer
https://twitter.com/jpercytelegraph/status/1351249950550749184?s=21
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
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Has anyone got the Telegraph article that he links to. I'm blocked by a paywall.
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
He has Watkins, Wesley, Guilbert, Kalinic to his name.
Ads very impressively has McGinn, Cash, Targett.
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
Yep. Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Wesley all signed successfully.
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He sounds like a character from Games of Thrones.
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We'll open this one again when it's a bit more likely.
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Could be a good one this. Telegraph reporting we are in talks. And below £18m.
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LOL
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Bit premature to have own thread or is there any ITK ?
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What’s happened here? Where’s your version TV? Is Kippaxvilla2 jinxing this transfer?
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Are there any good midfielders named Delilah we could bring in to play alongside him?
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Are there any good midfielders named Delilah we could bring in to play alongside him?
What about Mmmmbopppé?
I'll get my coat.
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If we are going to have a thread on this possible signing please remove Kenny from the title. It's not even close and we don't need to doff our hat in the direction for former Palace fullback.
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I might go and start another one.
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Revived as it looks a goer.
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I see the killing of rebellious thread starters has worked.
Sounds good.
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Aston Villa to complete £14m signing of Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson next week
Sanson, 26, is expected to complete his move before Villa’s Premier League game at Burnley on Wednesday night
By John Percy and Jason Burt, CHIEF FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
23 January 2021 • 12:25pm
Aston Villa are poised for complete the £14 million signing of Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson next week.
Villa have agreed a fee with the Ligue 1 club and Sanson is set to become Dean Smith’s first signing of the January transfer window.
A deal is now understood to be very close and Sanson is expected to complete his move before Villa’s Premier League game at Burnley on Wednesday night.
Sanson, 26, has been a target for Villa for 18 months but the club have stepped up their interest after it emerged Marseille were open to offers due to the impact of Covid-19 and the French TV deal on their finances.
Villa’s initial offer was turned down last week but an improved proposal worth around £14m has been accepted.
Smith said last week: "I think I’ve always said that this is going to be a quiet window for us. Our plans are already looking forward to the summer window and what we’re going to do there.
"But we’re never going to turn our noses up at a good value deal to bring a player in. There’s the possibility of some outs as well."
Villa are in league action on Saturday night with a home game against Newcastle.
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Can't say I've ever heard of him but it's good to see they're not settled with what they've already got. It'll be interesting to see where he fits in
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He sounds like a character from Games of Thrones.
I thought it sounded like a solicitors firm.
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It will be interesting to see what they do in the summer too going by Smith's comments.
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He sounds like a character from Games of Thrones.
I thought it sounded like a solicitors firm.
I keep thinking of Morgan Stanley when I see his name.
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
Yep. Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Wesley all signed successfully.
And others haven't. I don't see the point in starting a thread before a signing is more or less certain. You just get people's hopes up, then they end up disappointed. I remember seeing a Rashica thread on here, can't remember if it was you that started it. But I was excited thinking about him signing only to see it was just someone being premature. Again.
Still, with Sanson, a fee has been agreed so seems entirely reasonable to have a thread now, though. Hope it all goes through smoothly.
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
Yep. Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Wesley all signed successfully.
And others haven't. I don't see the point in starting a thread before a signing is more or less certain. You just get people's hopes up, then they end up disappointed. I remember seeing a Rashica thread on here, can't remember if it was you that started it. But I was excited thinking about him signing only to see it was just someone being premature. Again.
Still, with Sanson, a fee has been agreed so seems entirely reasonable to have a thread now, though. Hope it all goes through smoothly.
Good grief don’t take it so seriously. Hopes? Are people really so fragile?
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I've asked nicely before. It doesn't hurt to wait until it's more or less a done deal, does it? Why would you choose to get people's hopes up?
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I don't see the harm in it. It's not as if Messi is being linked.
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4.5 year deal agreed, just waiting on a visa.
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I thought that's why we had the '- signed' addendum when the player is ITSOTP?
Either way this does sound like a goer. Anyone know much about him? Attacking? Defensive? Passer? Enforcer? Related to Kenny?
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Pretty good signing I think.
Mid 20s, played for big club in european competition for a few seasons and will give us more options to rotate in midfield from now on.
As much as we all love SJM I thought his passing was really poor in midweek and not for the first time against a top 6 team. We also can't be certain Doug will still be here in six months time so feel this is also insurance as he can play DM even if he's more box to box in style.
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I don't see the harm in it. It's not as if Messi is being linked.
Correct. Plus I didn’t say it because it was reported on some random website. Percy generally only involves himself in transfers when he’s pretty sure.
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A signing thread started by Toronto Villa always ends well.
Yep. Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Wesley all signed successfully.
And others haven't. I don't see the point in starting a thread before a signing is more or less certain. You just get people's hopes up, then they end up disappointed. I remember seeing a Rashica thread on here, can't remember if it was you that started it. But I was excited thinking about him signing only to see it was just someone being premature. Again.
Still, with Sanson, a fee has been agreed so seems entirely reasonable to have a thread now, though. Hope it all goes through smoothly.
Was said in one of the twitter reports last week that player had already agreed terms with us so just a question of agreeing fee with club so it's as good as done.
Only issue now is does he have to quarantine or do sports players get exemptions if they provide negative test coming in.
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I've asked nicely before. It doesn't hurt to wait until it's more or less a done deal, does it? Why would you choose to get people's hopes up?
The way it's been done for the last two decades is that if there is something tangible to discuss, thus setting it apart from the general "we should sign x" content of the main transfer thread then they get their own topic.
We have a lot more readers than posters, and many of them don't go near the transfer thread - so given the site is a news resource as well as a discussion forum, confirmed interest in a player is news, even if we don't eventually sign them.
We never signed Joe Bryan, but there was quite obviously more to talk about than the "we should sign this bloke or that bloke" stuff.
I mean, if Jon Moss or Rod Liddle have their own threads, you'd think that a guy we're trying to spend millions of pounds on is probably deserving of one, no?
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I've seen a bit of analysis of him doing the rounds and He likes to press and win tackles high up the pitch. Wins twice as many as John McGinn but obviously in a less competitive League. He is very energetic and good at carrying the ball so He seems a player that would probably compete with McGinn and Louis but could also play in Barclays role.
Looks very useful
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I've seen a bit of analysis of him doing the rounds and He likes to press and win tackles high up the pitch. Wins twice as many as John McGinn but obviously in a less competitive League. He is very energetic and good at carrying the ball so He seems a player that would probably compete with McGinn and Louis but could also play in Barclays role.
Looks very useful
With him and McGinn in the team there would be no rest for the wicked.
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This is a pretty decent analysis.
Obligatory YouTube package
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I've asked nicely before. It doesn't hurt to wait until it's more or less a done deal, does it? Why would you choose to get people's hopes up?
The way it's been done for the last two decades is that if there is something tangible to discuss, thus setting it apart from the general "we should sign x" content of the main transfer thread then they get their own topic.
We have a lot more readers than posters, and many of them don't go near the transfer thread - so given the site is a news resource as well as a discussion forum, confirmed interest in a player is news, even if we don't eventually sign them.
We never signed Joe Bryan, but there was quite obviously more to talk about than the "we should sign this bloke or that bloke" stuff.
I mean, if Jon Moss or Rod Liddle have their own threads, you'd think that a guy we're trying to spend millions of pounds on is probably deserving of one, no?
If I say a thread about Rod Liddell I don't think we are going to sign someone and raise my hopes.
Transfer thread = speculation.
Individual thread = signing looks more or less certain.
Individual thread with name title amended to say "signed" = confirmed.
I don't see what is wrong with that. Seems like Head Mod agreed with me... for a change 😄
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Well I feel embarrassed and humiliated that my thread was deleted initially. Either that or I didn’t give it that much thought in the scheme of things....
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I don't see the harm in it. It's not as if Messi is being linked.
This is how rumours start!
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Seems like Head Mod agreed with me... for a change 😄
I don't think that Lizz has made any comment on the matter.
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Interesting stuff TV. It does seem like a lot of our focus has been on becoming really unpleasant to play against. Not in a thuggish Burnleyesque way - just that we give our opponents thoroughly unenjoyable afternoons.
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I've asked nicely before. It doesn't hurt to wait until it's more or less a done deal, does it? Why would you choose to get people's hopes up?
The way it's been done for the last two decades is that if there is something tangible to discuss, thus setting it apart from the general "we should sign x" content of the main transfer thread then they get their own topic.
We have a lot more readers than posters, and many of them don't go near the transfer thread - so given the site is a news resource as well as a discussion forum, confirmed interest in a player is news, even if we don't eventually sign them.
We never signed Joe Bryan, but there was quite obviously more to talk about than the "we should sign this bloke or that bloke" stuff.
I mean, if Jon Moss or Rod Liddle have their own threads, you'd think that a guy we're trying to spend millions of pounds on is probably deserving of one, no?
If I say a thread about Rod Liddell I don't think we are going to sign someone and raise my hopes.
Transfer thread = speculation.
Individual thread = signing looks more or less certain.
Individual thread with name title amended to say "signed" = confirmed.
I don't see what is wrong with that. Seems like Head Mod agreed with me... for a change 😄
Head Mod
I always thought that was Ace Face
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Can't say I've ever heard of him but it's good to see they're not settled with what they've already got. It'll be interesting to see where he fits in
Well judging by this I think he's being lined up for the Barkley role, long term. I doubt we'll sign Barkley, Chelsea will want far too much, which is a shame.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/no-bruno-no-problem-why-marseille-s-morgan-sanson-could-be-the-answer-to-manchester-united-s-midfield-woes
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Interesting stuff TV. It does seem like a lot of our focus has been on becoming really unpleasant to play against. Not in a thuggish Burnleyesque way - just that we give our opponents thoroughly unenjoyable afternoons.
It appears pressing and not allowing opponents time on the all is being made a priority. From Ollie up top through the line up. Also having more players like that is never a bad thing to give our other midfielder a break.
The great Barcelona teams always had that. Iniesta and Xavi were brilliant at it. You don’t need to be some big brute enforcer, but a player with the work ethic to close opponent players down quickly. I remember it also being said about the great Liverpool teams where it was said Ian Rush, as great a striker as he was, was also the first defender when they lost the ball high up the pitch. It’s a critical component of any team aspiring to reach the top.
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Can't say I've ever heard of him but it's good to see they're not settled with what they've already got. It'll be interesting to see where he fits in
Well judging by this I think he's being lined up for the Barkley role, long term. I doubt we'll sign Barkley, Chelsea will want far too much, which is a shame.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/no-bruno-no-problem-why-marseille-s-morgan-sanson-could-be-the-answer-to-manchester-united-s-midfield-woes
He's not a number 10. He's an option for Douglas and McGinn.
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I’ve never heard of him but he looks okay on the Vids
Being a French international (u21) he’s bound to have good technique and a good first touch
add to that his work rate looks very good pressing in particular
So hopefully the recruitment team have got another one right
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Can't say I've ever heard of him but it's good to see they're not settled with what they've already got. It'll be interesting to see where he fits in
Well judging by this I think he's being lined up for the Barkley role, long term. I doubt we'll sign Barkley, Chelsea will want far too much, which is a shame.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/no-bruno-no-problem-why-marseille-s-morgan-sanson-could-be-the-answer-to-manchester-united-s-midfield-woes
At some point we are going to have to pay the inflated fees demanded for the type of player needed to improve us, I could see Barkley being the first.
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Head Mod = Percy surely?
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Well I feel embarrassed and humiliated that my thread was deleted initially. Either that or I didn’t give it that much thought in the scheme of things....
I am sorry but with these contrite character traits you are totally unsuitable for any position of responsibility within the current Government. Please feel free to apply again in the future when you have removed such obvious strengths.
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Very much enjoying this improving from a position of strength lark. Compare and contrast to last January when we were frantically rummaging through the bargain bin.
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Very much enjoying this improving from a position of strength lark.
I genuinely struggling to remember the last time we actually did that. O'Neill adding Downing to Young and Milner?
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Very much enjoying this improving from a position of strength lark.
I genuinely struggling to remember the last time we actually did that. O'Neill adding Downing to Young and Milner?
I think you’re right, struggling to remember another more recent one which tells its own story. Long may it continue.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
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Vaguely remember we signed him injured and when he came in (Burnley away?) we had Young & Barry in the team but then I could very well be wrong.
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I like the look of him. I can see us going back to the 2 8's thing again at times and if we do him and McGinn just ahead of Luiz would give us loads of energy in midfield and, being a genuine 3 in there, would mean they could offer more support to the fullbacks so we could keep the wingers higher up the pitch which I think Smith wants to do. I don't see him as a replacement for anyone but more an option that gives us a viable alternative to change our shape. These are the sort of players we should be looking for now, keep the work ethic that is so important to our style but give us versatility.
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Very much enjoying this improving from a position of strength lark.
I genuinely struggling to remember the last time we actually did that. O'Neill adding Downing to Young and Milner?
It's a good point. We started that this summer with acquisition of Cash, despite the more than adequate Guilbert. Now we're spending the thick end of £20m on a player who's not guaranteed a starting spot, a bit like we did with Traore. Still a bit worried that we're very weak at left back and up front in terms of back up.
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Vaguely remember we signed him injured and when he came in (Burnley away?) we had Young & Barry in the team but then I could very well be wrong.
I think Downing had a broken foot/toe received from a certain Mr Petrov in a match up at the Riverside a few weeks earlier. He was certainly injured when we signed him.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
Wasn't it that we'd been playing Milner and Young wide, and adding Downing was the thing that allowed Milner to move into the middle?
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Summer 2001 probably. We already had Vassell, Dublin and JPA and signed Balaban. Endless midfield players who could play wide and signed Kachoul and Hadji.
Those three worked out well!
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January 2020 we added Danny Drinkwater.
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who was the other guy we got from Swansea on loan in January and played about three minutes?
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who was the other guy we got from Swansea on loan in January and played about three minutes?
Tom Carroll? Or something like that?
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who was the other guy we got from Swansea on loan in January and played about three minutes?
Which one?
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who was the other guy we got from Swansea on loan in January and played about three minutes?
Which one?
Borja Baston? He played two games.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
Wasn't it that we'd been playing Milner and Young wide, and adding Downing was the thing that allowed Milner to move into the middle?
Maybe. But I'm sure I remember Downing playing in the middle for a bit. Maybe after Milner went and when Albrighton had come through to play opposite wing to Young? Either way, I think I was wrong about him replacing Barry.
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
Think Downing played in the middle under Houllier
Wasn't it that we'd been playing Milner and Young wide, and adding Downing was the thing that allowed Milner to move into the middle?
Maybe. But I'm sure I remember Downing playing in the middle for a bit. Maybe after Milner went and when Albrighton had come through to play opposite wing to Young? Either way, I think I was wrong about him replacing Barry.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
Wasn't it that we'd been playing Milner and Young wide, and adding Downing was the thing that allowed Milner to move into the middle?
Maybe. But I'm sure I remember Downing playing in the middle for a bit. Maybe after Milner went and when Albrighton had come through to play opposite wing to Young? Either way, I think I was wrong about him replacing Barry.
Try again. I think Downing played in the middle under Houllier
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
I get the impression that we blew our entire transfer budget/FFP allocation in the summer (probably though necessity) and were hamstrung by that in to getting basically free transfers. We only spent £80m or so this summer, which presumably has given us a bit more room to buy pictures now. Plus we haven't needed to replace a striker and keeper at short notice.
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January 2020 we added Danny Drinkwater.
You can lead a horse to water but we couldn't make Danny play football competently.
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Downing played in the middle for us, to start with, didn't he? So could have been seen as a Barry replacement rather than adding from a position of strength. I may have got my years mixed up, though.
Wasn't it that we'd been playing Milner and Young wide, and adding Downing was the thing that allowed Milner to move into the middle?
Maybe. But I'm sure I remember Downing playing in the middle for a bit. Maybe after Milner went and when Albrighton had come through to play opposite wing to Young? Either way, I think I was wrong about him replacing Barry.
Try again. I think Downing played in the middle under Houllier
He did for the Man City game where Darren Bent made his debut and scored.
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
I get the impression that we blew our entire transfer budget/FFP allocation in the summer (probably though necessity) and were hamstrung by that in to getting basically free transfers. We only spent £80m or so this summer, which presumably has given us a bit more room to buy pictures now. Plus we haven't needed to replace a striker and keeper at short notice.
We weren't assured of safety last Jan. I think FFP would have doe for us if we'd splashed out. This year we're fine and it's not such a gamble to spend.
Remember Hourihane is out on loan so this is a replacement.
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
I get the impression that we blew our entire transfer budget/FFP allocation in the summer (probably though necessity) and were hamstrung by that in to getting basically free transfers. We only spent £80m or so this summer, which presumably has given us a bit more room to buy pictures now. Plus we haven't needed to replace a striker and keeper at short notice.
We weren't assured of safety last Jan. I think FFP would have doe for us if we'd splashed out. This year we're fine and it's not such a gamble to spend.
Remember Hourihane is out on loan so this is a replacement.
Don't forget that we had 2 key players pick up season ending injuries on new years day with another already ruled out for 4-5 months a week or so earlier. The window became all about filling the gaps left by Heaton, Wesley and McGinn with almost no notice on top of needing a backup striker. Doing that with very little spare money (because of FFP) and in the midst of a relegation battle was totally different to the circumstances this time.
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
I get the impression that we blew our entire transfer budget/FFP allocation in the summer (probably though necessity) and were hamstrung by that in to getting basically free transfers. We only spent £80m or so this summer, which presumably has given us a bit more room to buy pictures now. Plus we haven't needed to replace a striker and keeper at short notice.
We weren't assured of safety last Jan. I think FFP would have doe for us if we'd splashed out. This year we're fine and it's not such a gamble to spend.
Remember Hourihane is out on loan so this is a replacement.
Don't forget that we had 2 key players pick up season ending injuries on new years day with another already ruled out for 4-5 months a week or so earlier. The window became all about filling the gaps left by Heaton, Wesley and McGinn with almost no notice on top of needing a backup striker. Doing that with very little spare money (because of FFP) and in the midst of a relegation battle was totally different to the circumstances this time.
Without those injuries last season, I think we would have been fine. Heaton had been amazing.
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Last January was an extremely strange window.
I get the impression that we blew our entire transfer budget/FFP allocation in the summer (probably though necessity) and were hamstrung by that in to getting basically free transfers. We only spent £80m or so this summer, which presumably has given us a bit more room to buy pictures now. Plus we haven't needed to replace a striker and keeper at short notice.
We weren't assured of safety last Jan. I think FFP would have doe for us if we'd splashed out. This year we're fine and it's not such a gamble to spend.
Remember Hourihane is out on loan so this is a replacement.
Don't forget that we had 2 key players pick up season ending injuries on new years day with another already ruled out for 4-5 months a week or so earlier. The window became all about filling the gaps left by Heaton, Wesley and McGinn with almost no notice on top of needing a backup striker. Doing that with very little spare money (because of FFP) and in the midst of a relegation battle was totally different to the circumstances this time.
Without those injuries last season, I think we would have been fine. Heaton had been amazing.
Very possibly, it was a messy spell because we'd already had annoying injuries for Jack and Mings in the month or so before that. If you compare our injury problems to Sheff Utd who came up with us we definitely had a bad time of it.
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He's no Danny Drinkwater
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Dean Smith, post-match: "I have not spoken to our sporting director and there is obviously an inbound player and hopefully that is done soon."
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Omitted from the Marseille squad and Villas-Boas confirmed he’s on his way to us.
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I wonder what teammate Jordan Amavi had to say to him?
"FFS DON'T DO IT!!!"?
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Him, Luiz, Nakamba, Barkley and Ramsey is as good a midfield as any.
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I wonder what teammate Jordan Amavi had to say to him?
"FFS DON'T DO IT!!!"?
Think Amavi enjoyed his time here and seemed popular around the dressing room, just didn't work out on the pitch with the injury and everything.
Sure he'll be telling Morgan how good VP is with 40k in it.
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Yeah, tongue in cheek. I liked Amavi. You could see he was a player and it was a shame it didn't work out.
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Him, Luiz, Nakamba, Barkley and Ramsey is as good a midfield as any.
What, no McGinn?
What do you know??
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Him, Luiz, Nakamba, Barkley and Ramsey is as good a midfield as any.
What, no McGinn?
What do you know??
I know that I missed one out.
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Six really good players vying for three midfield spots. That's five more than we had for most of last decade. Six more than we had for parts of it.
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I wonder what teammate Jordan Amavi had to say to him?
"FFS DON'T DO IT!!!"?
Think Amavi enjoyed his time here and seemed popular around the dressing room, just didn't work out on the pitch with the injury and everything.
Sure he'll be telling Morgan how good VP is with 40k in it.
The sale of Amavi was typical Steve Bruce. Cash in on a star and generally spend it on weaker players. Out of that money he brought in Taylor (to replace Amavi), Hourihane, Lansbury, Bree and Bedeu. Only Hourihane showed anything and I do not think overall we got value out of the transfers. So much of the transfer fee we got in went in 'agents' fees.
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I can't wait until he puts pen to paper.
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I wonder what teammate Jordan Amavi had to say to him?
"FFS DON'T DO IT!!!"?
Think Amavi enjoyed his time here and seemed popular around the dressing room, just didn't work out on the pitch with the injury and everything.
Sure he'll be telling Morgan how good VP is with 40k in it.
No doubt he will love VP but he'll used to playing in a top stadium. The Stade Velodrome is the best stadium I've ever been to and it's steeped in history. Apart from Villa Park obviously.
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Some interesting info about Sanson
https://twitter.com/whoscored/status/1353289692553359361?s=21
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Who is Morgan Sanson? Stats, strengths and weaknesses of new Aston Villa recruit
by Martin Laurence
With a fee agreed between Aston Villa and Marseille believed to be in the region of £14m, rising to £15.5m with add-ons, French midfielder Morgan Sanson is set to complete a move to the Midlands.
Reports have been circling for over a week regarding a deal for the 26-year-old, with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the financial state of French football allowing Villa to negotiate a deal. Indeed, OM boss Andre Villas-Boas confirmed last week that the Villans had tabled an offer at the time, but it was one he claimed was weak.
It's clear then that Villa have upped their offer since, with the need to bring in another midfielder perhaps more pressing following the decision to allow Conor Hourihane to leave on loan for Swansea. It's the Irishman that Sanson may ultimately replace in the ranks, not just in the short term, but it's arguably his versatility that has most appeased the club.
Where will he fit?
Over his time both with Montpellier and Marseille in Ligue 1, Sanson has fulfilled a number of different midfield roles, capable of playing in a pivot, a midfield three or in a more advanced position. With Ross Barkley's future at the club uncertain, currently on loan for Chelsea who will not allow the England international to leave on the cheap, there's certainly forward thinking in this deal as much as signing for the present.
It is, after all, difficult to see where a player of Sanson fits into the current Villa starting XI when all are available. He's a similar style of player to John McGinn in that much of his game revolves around his work rate and dynamism in getting from box-to-box, but the fact that he can play as a 10 could come into Dean Smith's thinking should Barkley succumb to another injury.
It's not just the loanee that will see his fitness put to the test, particularly in the coming weeks as Villa begin to play catch up following their COVID-19 outbreak. Smith has made very few unforced changes to his lineups this season and while that has in the most part been a reward for strong performances, there is obvious concern within the club at the drop off in quality from the starting XI to those waiting in the wings. As rotation becomes a necessity, Sanson will not only offer players a rest but his manager a little more tactical flexibility.
After all, while he has played as a ten, he's not as forward thinking as a Barkley or a Grealish and could be the midfielder in a three with the license to support the attack in matches against stronger opposition. He's been a reliable source of both goals and assists, with 35 and 32 respectively in Ligue 1, which are certainly commendable returns for a midfielder of his age.
Development
In truth, Sanson has arguably not yet lived up to the superb potential he showed early in his career at Montpellier, despite having been a solid performer for Marseille since his move four years ago. It was the 2014/15 season that thrust the midfielder into the limelight in France when the teenager at the time scored six times, registered three assists but also ranked among the top ten tacklers in Ligue 1, with 102. His performances that season were enough to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.41, which ranked equal 15th in the division with Idrissa Gueye, who would go on to sign for Aston Villa the following summer.
While that remains Sanson's strongest rating in any season to date, the following campaign he would join Marseille in January and end it with a superb 14 assists. He then enjoyed his best goalscoring season in his first full camapign with Marseille, scoring nine times, before levelling out a little between 2018 and 2020. That said, he was a key player as Marseille finished the curtailed 2019/20 season in second, starting 26 of 28 matches.
By contrast, Sanson has started just ten of Marseille's 19 league matches in the current campaign, with injuries playing a part, but he has clearly been identified as an expendable player in the club's current financial circumstances. He will leave the club having scored 20 goals and registered 19 assists in 103 league starts, chipping in with a further two goals from the bench.
Strengths
As mentioned, Sanson's versatility in midfield should prove a real asset to Villa. Across 187 Ligue 1 starts he's split his time between central (93), defensive (40) and attacking (33) midfield, and even started 21 games from wide (15 right, six left). His WhoScored rating when split into those different positions certainly highlights that he has been solid wherever he has played - most notably through the middle of the pitch - but interestingly his highest score, predominantly came in defensive midfield (7.27). It's also interesting that his rating in attacking midfield (7.09) slightly outperforms that in the middle of the park (7.03), highlighting that Sanson has qualities both in and out of possession.
It is, however, his defensive contribution wherever he is positioned that often stands out above his solid output in the final third. A combative player wherever he plays, during his time with Marseille he ranked among the top ten Ligue 1 players for possession won in both the midfield (376) and attacking third (66). That ability to press will certainly fit the mould at Villa, and Sanson tends to break up play by hook or by crook...
Weaknesses
It's that all action style of defending that has often seen Sanson make a close relationship with Ligue 1 referees! He committed the second most fouls in France's top-flight last season and has racked up a modest 25 yellow cards at OM. While he's faced a couple of yellow card suspensions, however, he's never been sent off, suggesting he knows where to draw the line.
From a technical standpoint his passing isn't his strongest trait, particularly this season, with a relatively meagre 77.8 per cent success rate. While that figure has tended to be around the 82 per cent mark in his career, it remains pretty modest and a profile not dissimilar to that of John McGinn in that he likes to play forward but can be pretty wayward.
Conclusion
In terms of squad depth, at the price point reported, Sanson looks a very shrewd and necessary addition for Villa. If he uses this second half of the season well when called upon to adapt to the Premier League, it's a style of play that should suit him and playing time may become more regular dependent on whether Villa can or cannot make Ross Barkley's loan move permanent.
A midfielder who chips in with goals, rarely delivers a sub-par performance and always puts in the hard yards should fit in nicely in Dean Smith's ever-improving squad.
Follow Martin Laurence on Twitter.com
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His wiki page says he's a Villa player, so it must be true.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Sanson
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you can’t tell much from video clips and stats
I will reserve judgement as always until i see how enthusiastic he is at his first press conference
and the first five minutes of watching him play
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Only seen a few brief clips of him, but he seems to be an attacking midfielder who would play where Barkley currently plays.
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Brother in law is a diehard OM fan. Seems to think he should be a good purchase for Villa but feels he may have to get used to the physicality or what he perceives of the game compared to across the channel, isn’t an aggressive player.
Personally, I’m not sure English football is quite as aggressive as it was say 10-20 years ago in relation to other leagues.
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Song's easy anyway: Sanson D'amour, (rat-a tat-de dat) . Je T'adore.
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Very good Kipeye.
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you can’t tell much from video clips and stats
I will reserve judgement as always until i see how enthusiastic he is at his first press conference
and the first five minutes of watching him play
It's the shirt stretching technique that's most important
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Song's easy anyway: Sanson D'amour, (rat-a tat-de dat) . Je T'adore.
I thought that Sanson's transfer was from Marseille, not Manhattan
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What will be his work permit situation now that the UK is in self imposed sanctions with the EU ?
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What will be his work permit situation now that the UK is in self imposed sanctions with the EU ?
Why did we hurry Hourihane out the door before Sanson is signed up? Work permits may be an issue, but hopefully not.
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What will be his work permit situation now that the UK is in self imposed sanctions with the EU ?
Same as for any non-EU overseas player. He won't get one automatically as he isn't an international. However, he will easily meet the criteria having played loads of games in a recognised top league in addition to plenty of matches in European competition. It may take a few days to resolve, though.
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Brother in law is a diehard OM fan. Seems to think he should be a good purchase for Villa but feels he may have to get used to the physicality or what he perceives of the game compared to across the channel, isn’t an aggressive player.
Personally, I’m not sure English football is quite as aggressive as it was say 10-20 years ago in relation to other leagues.
It’s definitely faster and more athletic. I do miss the good old aggressive days. You rarely get away with a good old fashioned reducer nowadays.
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Brother in law is a diehard OM fan. Seems to think he should be a good purchase for Villa but feels he may have to get used to the physicality or what he perceives of the game compared to across the channel, isn’t an aggressive player.
Personally, I’m not sure English football is quite as aggressive as it was say 10-20 years ago in relation to other leagues.
It’s definitely faster and more athletic. I do miss the good old aggressive days. You rarely get away with a good old fashioned reducer nowadays.
There was one beauty on Saturday against Newcastle - I can't remember who it was, maybe Targett? Completely fair but absolutely smashed the Newcastle player. It had Carragher chuckling.
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Song's easy anyway: Sanson D'amour, (rat-a tat-de dat) . Je T'adore.
I thought that Sanson's transfer was from Marseille, not Manhattan
Extra point for that one...
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What will be his work permit situation now that the UK is in self imposed sanctions with the EU ?
Why did we hurry Hourihane out the door before Sanson is signed up? Work permits may be an issue, but hopefully not.
Think Ramsey had moved ahead of Hourihane in the pecking order anyway in the eyes of the coaching staff.
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You pretty much never hear my favourite old school chant...
Get into ‘em (and f*ck ‘em up)!
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If, as I understand it, he is due for a medical, does he not need to quarantine for 14 days then presumably he returns to France to finalise things there and quarantines again for entering France then, assuming he joins us, he then has to quarantine again when he re enters the UK. Will he be playing before the season ends 😃
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If, as I understand it, he is due for a medical, does he not need to quarantine for 14 days then presumably he returns to France to finalise things there and quarantines again for entering France then, assuming he joins us, he then has to quarantine again when he re enters the UK. Will he be playing before the season ends 😃
Apparently those rules do not apply if you are an elite sportsperson / film star or have fuck loads of money
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You pretty much never hear my favourite old school chant...
Get into ‘em (and f*ck ‘em up)!
F*ck em off i think you may find
And it was alive and well as i stood alone in my living room Saturday night singing it and many others
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If, as I understand it, he is due for a medical, does he not need to quarantine for 14 days then presumably he returns to France to finalise things there and quarantines again for entering France then, assuming he joins us, he then has to quarantine again when he re enters the UK. Will he be playing before the season ends 😃
Apparently those rules do not apply if you are an elite sportsperson / film star or have fuck loads of money
He won’t need to travel here for his medical. He’ll do that over there.
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If, as I understand it, he is due for a medical, does he not need to quarantine for 14 days then presumably he returns to France to finalise things there and quarantines again for entering France then, assuming he joins us, he then has to quarantine again when he re enters the UK. Will he be playing before the season ends 😃
Apparently those rules do not apply if you are an elite sportsperson / film star or have fuck loads of money
He's allowed to drive over here to check his eyesight as long as he brings his wife and children.
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If, as I understand it, he is due for a medical, does he not need to quarantine for 14 days then presumably he returns to France to finalise things there and quarantines again for entering France then, assuming he joins us, he then has to quarantine again when he re enters the UK. Will he be playing before the season ends 😃
Apparently those rules do not apply if you are an elite sportsperson / film star or have fuck loads of money
He's allowed to drive over here to check his eyesight as long as he brings his wife and children.
Yes but only if it is a crucial journey. Like a visit to a castle.
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You pretty much never hear my favourite old school chant...
Get into ‘em (and f*ck ‘em up)!
F*ck em off i think you may find
And it was alive and well as i stood alone in my living room Saturday night singing it and many others
I must admit, I think it’s f*ck em up too. Well, its what I used to sing anyway!
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For the first time in a long time we might have a team that doesnt pick itself.
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I've always thought it was "fuck 'em up", too. Maybe it changed over the years.
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I've always thought it was "fuck 'em up", too. Maybe it changed over the years.
Yes it definitely evolved from “off” to “up”” at some point, I blame American films.
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I've always thought it was "fuck 'em up", too. Maybe it changed over the years.
Yes it definitely evolved from “off” to “up”” at some point, I blame American films.
It was always 'up' for me.
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We need a poll.
I always thought it was "up."
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Its off.
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No, it's "off".
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I’m in the up camp.
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Up
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Imagine what Morgan makes of the offs v the ups?
He is probably a tad concerned as to what he might be joining.
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Its off.
You've been living "off" North too long.
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Up.
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Its off.
Read that and thought the signing was off!
Always thought it was "off"
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Up
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It was 'off' to me.
This is not some weird left/right side thing is it? For the record I was right side.
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
I was a left-side 'upper'
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Its off.
Read that and thought the signing was off!
Same here, I just spent five minutes checking Twitter as to why!
It's 'up'.
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
I was a left-side 'upper'
Left side 3/4's back.
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
I was a left-side 'upper'
Do you think it was a geographical thing of where you lived in the city and beyond that determined where everyone stood on the Holte?
I always remember the upper right side being lads from Kingstanding, Erdington, Great Barr and North of the city because most of us would all catch our buses home at the Old Crown & Cushion. Whereby, I think most fans who lived in the south of the city and caught buses in town were mostly on the left side?
I could be totally wrong on this I know...
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'F**k them off" just isn't a phrase anyone used in the 70s and 80s.
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Off
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It was 'off' to me.
This is not some weird left/right side thing is it? For the record I was right side.
I think it’s more likely an age thing. Be interesting to see the ages of the up’s & off’s. for the record I was right side too and I’m an off.
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
This.
And I'm from the north side of the city....Aston!
dicedlam could be on to something here!
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''Gerrin to hum and fuck em up'' is how I always remembered it.
I was on the right side.
This.
And I'm from the north side of the city....Aston!
dicedlam could be on to something here!
It was allways up, off is so American
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It was always 'off'.
The Left Side / Tizwas / Celtic
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Off probably dates back to the days of regular terrace aggro. That’s how I remember it. Up is probably more on pitch player encouragement related.
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I don't see it as particularly American, though it may have a different meaning there.
"Up" is, however, quite clearly the correct word here.
It follows "get stuck in". "Fuck them up" means injure, maim, hospitalise. "Fuck them off" means to remove someone from your life, like an unwanted girlfriend.
The crowd are imploring the players to adopt an aggressive tackling style, not a passive aggressive pattern of not returning their Whatsapps.
It's "up", you maniacs.
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I don't see it as particularly American, though it may have a different meaning there.
"Up" is, however, quite clearly the correct word here.
It follows "get stuck in". "Fuck them up" means injure, maim, hospitalise. "Fuck them off" means to remove someone from your life, like an unwanted girlfriend.
The crowd are imploring the players adopt an aggressive tackling style, not a passive aggressive pattern of not returning their Whatsapps.
It's "up", you maniacs.
"Fuck 'em off" was targeted at the oppo fans - and "Get into 'em" was aimed at the Villa bootboys, IIRC.
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3 pages and multiple pages since I last looked. Imagine my excitement at as such a thread swell must mean he's signed. I should've known better.
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If someone said: "She kept ringing me at all hours, so I fucked her off", you would understand that to mean that he had broken up with her.
If someone said: "She kept ringing me at all hours, so I fucked her up", you would call the police.
To fuck someone up is to commit bodily harm. That is the definition we need here.
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Correct, obviously.
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"The Left side" r here.
It may be gramatically incorrect but I remember it as "off".
It wouldnt be the first time the word police have found us leftsiders on the wrong side of the queens english.
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If someone said: "She kept ringing me at all hours, so I fucked her off", you would understand that to mean that he had broken up with her.
If someone said: "She kept ringing me at all hours, so I fucked her up", you would call the police.
To fuck someone up is to commit bodily harm. That is the definition we need here.
This is the correct definition . Definitely up. Didn't go on the Holte as we went with my grandad and he preferred the Trinity Road stand. But the few times I went I there, I'd have been right side.
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Left sider from Selly Oak.
Perhaps the offers (lefties) and the uppers (righties) needs to be resolved with a massive Ashbourne style game of traditional football with "ends" in Erdington and Edgbaston. First over the line gets to settle the thing once and for all.
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I'm an Upper from the Left Lower.
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Right or left it was always 'off'. Of that I have no doubt.
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Another one for "up". I was left side at the back.
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Definately off, rights side just above half way
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Young Morgan is going to wonder what the hell we are talking about on here 🤔
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There's some fairly substantial evidence here to back up my lifelong held belief that right siders were wrong 'uns.
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"Up" for me. Left side of the Holte above the tunnel. South Birmingham
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All that’s happening here is we’re finding out that while nearly everyone was singing ‘up’, some people were getting it wrong. Easily done I suppose.
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It was up. I was left side, not far from Tarzan.
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Off. Left side
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Up period !!! No come backs.
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Holte Right side 3/4 back ( where Holte Enders in the Sky originated in bloody tune)
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Is it left/right side or as you look at it from the pitch?
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So anyway.......theres a French player called Morgan Sanson who may be joining us this week. Bonjour et bon chance.
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Is it left/right side or as you look at it from the pitch?
As you stand looking at the pitch.
From the left hand side, the aristocratic side next to Aston Hall.
On a faint northerly breeze you would just be able to hear the rightsiders getting the words wrong.
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So anyway.......theres a French player called Morgan Sanson who may be joining us this week. Bonjour et bon chance.
Why are you bringing him up? What’s he got to do with the Morgan Sanson thread?
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I love it , how off tangent can we go from a potential new signing thread 🤔
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Up! I was left side, half way up near the bloke who used to scream “put the pressure on”
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It’s ‘Up’, you lunatics.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
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Middle of the Holte, half way down the terrace and it was definitely "off"
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
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We could get Newport IOW in the cup. You could get a ferry on the way to Portsmouth away, if you wanted to.
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Up! I was left side, half way up near the bloke who used to scream “put the pressure on”
Same. That bloke was screaming "put the pressure IN", though.
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Up! I was left side, half way up near the bloke who used to scream “put the pressure on”
Same. That bloke was screaming "put the pressure IN", though.
We don’t need this pressure on. That was the chant. Number one.
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We could get Newport IOW in the cup. You could get a ferry on the way to Portsmouth away, if you wanted to.
The Solent is sea.
This from The Solent Forum which as far as I know has yet to get a mention on HIGNFY.
The Solent itself is the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England. It is about 20 miles (32 kilometres) long and varies in width between 21⁄2 and 5 miles (4 and 8 km), although the Hurst Spit which projects 11⁄2 mi (2.4 km) into the Solent narrows the sea crossing between Hurst Castle and Colwell Bay to just over 1 mile (1.6 km).
http://www.solentforum.org/solent/our_coastal_zone/
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Bugger. I thought it was a big river.
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OK then. Venezia away in Europe. I think you can only get there by boat.
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Is it left/right side or as you look at it from the pitch?
As you stand looking at the pitch.
From the left hand side, the aristocratic side next to Aston Hall.
On a faint northerly breeze you would just be able to hear the rightsiders getting the words wrong.
Whilst the leftsiders get drowned out by the Upper Trinity Road.
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Up! I was left side, half way up near the bloke who used to scream “put the pressure on”
Same. That bloke was screaming "put the pressure IN", though.
We don’t need this pressure on. That was the chant. Number one.
Without Googling, what was Chant Number 2?
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Up! I was left side, half way up near the bloke who used to scream “put the pressure on”
Left side, down the front, standing on a milk crate and holding an inflatable banana. Different times!
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Up.
Right Side - SMTV - Hearts
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OK then. Venezia away in Europe. I think you can only get there by boat.
Road and rail connection from the mainland.
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Whoops, sorry about that!
For the record; left side, Tiswas, Celtic and obviously “up”. I stood behind the floodlight as a nipper, then used to stand up the back first half and down the front second.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
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Up
Left Side* - Swap Shop - Hibs & Celtic
*Beside the base of the floodlight.
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I refuse to believe that there isn’t a single ground somewhere in the world that is on an island in the middle of a lake or some such.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
If you ignore the couple of hundred yards between the Fiery Holes and Rocket Pool, you have to pass over water to get to Tipton Town.
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I refuse to believe that there isn’t a single ground somewhere in the world that is on an island in the middle of a lake or some such.
Belter of an away game.
(https://www.trollfootball.me/upload/full/2019/08/29/any-other-amazing-pitches-henningsvaer-norway.jpg)
(Henningsvaer in Norway, but probably more of a pitch than a stadium)
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I refuse to believe that there isn’t a single ground somewhere in the world that is on an island in the middle of a lake or some such.
Malta? or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?
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Left side, above floodlight. Definitely off.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
If you ignore the couple of hundred yards between the Fiery Holes and Rocket Pool, you have to pass over water to get to Tipton Town.
Reckon a good lawyer could argue that a trip to the Lower Holte bogs at half-time involves a journey over water.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
I would say you would struggle to find a single game home or away that doesn't involve crossing water in that case !
Why sing a song which in effect boasts about your undying loyalty because you parked the other side of cuckoo bridge ? Then walked over the fazeley canal ? That canal and bridge was there before villa park was built which puts paid to your modern infrastructure argument !
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Late 70's early 80's lower holte ,right side bottom corner.
Definately "get into em and fuck em off"
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
If you ignore the couple of hundred yards between the Fiery Holes and Rocket Pool, you have to pass over water to get to Tipton Town.
Why on earth would you want to do that.
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I refuse to believe that there isn’t a single ground somewhere in the world that is on an island in the middle of a lake or some such.
Belter of an away game.
(https://www.trollfootball.me/upload/full/2019/08/29/any-other-amazing-pitches-henningsvaer-norway.jpg)
(Henningsvaer in Norway, but probably more of a pitch than a stadium)
Just found the same place by Googling but it seems to be connected to the mainland by road so banned for reasons that I'm not really clear on.
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Send the RAF over to destroy the link to the mainland and it’ll count then.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
I would say you would struggle to find a single game home or away that doesn't involve crossing water in that case !
Why sing a song which in effect boasts about your undying loyalty because you parked the other side of cuckoo bridge ? Then walked over the fazeley canal ? That canal and bridge was there before villa park was built which puts paid to your modern infrastructure argument !
To turn your argument around, the song boasting of undying loyalty also includes the journeying over land.
Why is the "over water" part the bit that signifies sacrifice? If the over land bit is taken as an assumption of any regular journey, why can't the the trip over a canal of three also be seen as part of that same bog-standard journey, as following the Villa over land?
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To bring this back on track...it’s Up, right hand side.
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To bring this back on track...it’s Up, right hand side.
Is the correct answer. ;-)
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We could get Newport IOW in the cup. You could get a ferry on the way to Portsmouth away, if you wanted to.
The Solent is sea.
This from The Solent Forum which as far as I know has yet to get a mention on HIGNFY.
The Solent itself is the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England. It is about 20 miles (32 kilometres) long and varies in width between 21⁄2 and 5 miles (4 and 8 km), although the Hurst Spit which projects 11⁄2 mi (2.4 km) into the Solent narrows the sea crossing between Hurst Castle and Colwell Bay to just over 1 mile (1.6 km).
http://www.solentforum.org/solent/our_coastal_zone/
The Solent was a river! In pre-historic times - The River Solent.
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I refuse to believe that there isn’t a single ground somewhere in the world that is on an island in the middle of a lake or some such.
Belter of an away game.
(https://www.trollfootball.me/upload/full/2019/08/29/any-other-amazing-pitches-henningsvaer-norway.jpg)
(Henningsvaer in Norway, but probably more of a pitch than a stadium)
We would have left Tonev at home if we had a game at this ground.
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Jesus, Imagine the poor Dolphins.
-
While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
I would say you would struggle to find a single game home or away that doesn't involve crossing water in that case !
Why sing a song which in effect boasts about your undying loyalty because you parked the other side of cuckoo bridge ? Then walked over the fazeley canal ? That canal and bridge was there before villa park was built which puts paid to your modern infrastructure argument !
To turn your argument around, the song boasting of undying loyalty also includes the journeying over land.
Why is the "over water" part the bit that signifies sacrifice? If the over land bit is taken as an assumption of any regular journey, why can't the the trip over a canal of three also be seen as part of that same bog-standard journey, as following the Villa over land?
Anybody with an understanding of the song will appreciate the context and the stress applied to the `on water` part of the melody.
The song would start out in dulcet tones with a few participants and build to a rising crescendo with others joining in as it turned into a joyous and boastful shout.
We will follow the Villa over land and sea,......AND WATER ! We will follow the Villa onto victory.
Without the on water aspect of the song I doubt it would have survived as long as it did. For me the on water element was key to what was being espoused and I find it incredulous to believe anybody at the time thought it related to walking across a canal bridge !
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Up
Left Side* - Swap Shop - Hibs & Celtic
*Beside the base of the floodlight.
You did well there apart from Swap Shop. Fucking hell.
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Off.
Back of the left side.
Kingstanding.
Tiswas.
Obvs. UTV.
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
I would say you would struggle to find a single game home or away that doesn't involve crossing water in that case !
Why sing a song which in effect boasts about your undying loyalty because you parked the other side of cuckoo bridge ? Then walked over the fazeley canal ? That canal and bridge was there before villa park was built which puts paid to your modern infrastructure argument !
To turn your argument around, the song boasting of undying loyalty also includes the journeying over land.
Why is the "over water" part the bit that signifies sacrifice? If the over land bit is taken as an assumption of any regular journey, why can't the the trip over a canal of three also be seen as part of that same bog-standard journey, as following the Villa over land?
Anybody with an understanding of the song will appreciate the context and the stress applied to the `on water` part of the melody.
The song would start out in dulcet tones with a few participants and build to a rising crescendo with others joining in as it turned into a joyous and boastful shout.
We will follow the Villa over land and sea,......AND WATER ! We will follow the Villa onto victory.
Without the on water aspect of the song I doubt it would have survived as long as it did. For me the on water element was key to what was being espoused and I find it incredulous to believe anybody at the time thought it related to walking across a canal bridge !
On water? Here we go again.
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I feel Sanson is Barkley’s replacement or competition
But is useful whatver he fits in. Looking forward to having the extra option qs has been needed.
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What should we sing if we ever play Odessa and take the ferry across the Caspian Sea which is not a Sea but an inland Lake? It would have to be 'Land or sea OR water, which is what I have always sung anyway.
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He better arrive by barge or he can fuck off.
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What should we sing if we ever play Odessa and take the ferry across the Caspian Sea which is not a Sea but an inland Lake? It would have to be 'Land or sea OR water, which is what I have always sung anyway.
We would have had to pass land and sea and water to get there, assuming we started in Britain.
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He better arrive by barge or he can fuck off.
Barges are too wide to get along the Fazeley canal, it will have to be a narrowboat.
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I'll send one round.
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What should we sing if we ever play Odessa and take the ferry across the Caspian Sea which is not a Sea but an inland Lake? It would have to be 'Land or sea OR water, which is what I have always sung anyway.
You’d be going the long way round over the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea would be quicker!!
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This thread is going too be a superb nostalgic read in 3 years time when he's scored twice and assisted Louie Barry twice as we belt Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final.
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Late 70's early 80's lower holte ,right side bottom corner.
Definately "get into em and fuck em off"
Exactly this. No argument
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
Mersey Ferry for Tranmere away?
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What should we sing if we ever play Odessa and take the ferry across the Caspian Sea which is not a Sea but an inland Lake? It would have to be 'Land or sea OR water, which is what I have always sung anyway.
I’d definitely sing something about garden sheds. In Russian.
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Its off.
Read that and thought the signing was off!
Same here, I just spent five minutes checking Twitter as to why!
It's 'up'.
Definitely up and I was always a left sider but near the middle.
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This thread is going too be a superb nostalgic read in 3 years time when he's scored twice and assisted Louie Barry twice as we belt Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final.
Can’t we beat someone else next time?
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While you're all on the subject, one I could never understand. We all follow the Villa, over land and Sea... And water. Aren't see and water the same thing?
No.
I agree but assuming we are not including crossing rivers by road or rail bridges, can you give an example of a Villa away game that would involve crossing water that is not sea.
The bigger question is why would one exclude crossing rivers by road or rail bridge?
That is absolutely following the Villa over water.
The chant doesn't make reference to how much easier modern transport infrastructure make that following.
I would say you would struggle to find a single game home or away that doesn't involve crossing water in that case !
Why sing a song which in effect boasts about your undying loyalty because you parked the other side of cuckoo bridge ? Then walked over the fazeley canal ? That canal and bridge was there before villa park was built which puts paid to your modern infrastructure argument !
To turn your argument around, the song boasting of undying loyalty also includes the journeying over land.
Why is the "over water" part the bit that signifies sacrifice? If the over land bit is taken as an assumption of any regular journey, why can't the the trip over a canal of three also be seen as part of that same bog-standard journey, as following the Villa over land?
Anybody with an understanding of the song will appreciate the context and the stress applied to the `on water` part of the melody.
The song would start out in dulcet tones with a few participants and build to a rising crescendo with others joining in as it turned into a joyous and boastful shout.
We will follow the Villa over land and sea,......AND WATER ! We will follow the Villa onto victory.
Without the on water aspect of the song I doubt it would have survived as long as it did. For me the on water element was key to what was being espoused and I find it incredulous to believe anybody at the time thought it related to walking across a canal bridge !
I thought it was Leicester, not water?
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This thread is going too be a superb nostalgic read in 3 years time when he's scored twice and assisted Louie Barry twice as we belt Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final.
Can’t we beat someone else next time?
This.
Not sure I would even bother watching that.
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Its off.
Read that and thought the signing was off!
Same here, I just spent five minutes checking Twitter as to why!
It's 'up'.
Definitely up and I was always a left sider but near the middle.
Definitely ‘up’, what are these nutcases talking about? We need a poll.
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We'll be having a kick-up next.
Fuck em up, always. Fuck em off suggests you don't want to play them any more.
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Off for me. Get a poll up please, to prove I’m right.
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What should we sing if we ever play Odessa and take the ferry across the Caspian Sea which is not a Sea but an inland Lake? It would have to be 'Land or sea OR water, which is what I have always sung anyway.
I’d definitely sing something about garden sheds. In Russian.
Probably better than us reenacting The Battleship Potemkin and singing "Get into them and fuck them up" in Ukrainian.
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Pretty sure it was/is fuck ‘em up. Been a while though
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Isn't Toulouse Stadium in the middle of a river?
Went for an England game.
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Some reports out of France that he’s signed a 4 year deal so hopefully it gets confirmed by the club sometime Tuesday in time for him to make the bench for Burnley. ITS...etc etc.
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Some reports out of France that he’s signed a 4 year deal so hopefully it gets confirmed by the club sometime Tuesday in time for him to make the bench for Burnley. ITS...etc etc.
That’s what I love about H&V - the irrelevant and surreal tangents.
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Some reports out of France that he’s signed a 4 year deal so hopefully it gets confirmed by the club sometime Tuesday in time for him to make the bench for Burnley. ITS...etc etc.
Work permit paperwork would need to be done first, before he can join up with the team. Don't know how long that would take - he isn't an international is he?
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I'd love a game at Lake Como!
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Very much doubt now he'll be signed and cleared to play in time for tomorrow night. Could make the bench on Saturday.
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Very much doubt now he'll be signed and cleared to play in time for tomorrow night. Could make the bench on Saturday.
We don't need him to be. McGinn is back and Nakamba played very well against Newcastle, so there's no rush to get him involved at all.
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That's right, make them fight to get in the side.
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Traore was given a bit of time before he could get into the starting team so I imagine it will be the same with Sanson.
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Traore was given a bit of time before he could get into the starting team so I imagine it will be the same with Sanson.
Yes, getting them up to speed on fitness and playing approach is really important - we saw the downside with players like Luiz at the beginning of last season..
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
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Isn’t it nice not to be worried and panicking over a transfer getting over the line for a change?
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Isn’t it nice not to be worried and panicking over a transfer getting over the line for a change?
It’s a bizarre feeling!
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
Or Kieran Davies
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
It will be one of Samson, Samsom and Sansom
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
It will be one of Samson, Samsom and Sansom
And the odd Samsung
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I'd happily settle for a right footed McGinn. Isn't it nice to be discussing signing a player similar to one already at the club without immediately worrying that the incumbent isn't about to be flogged to make the books balance?
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
Or Kieran Davies
You mean Keenan?
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There was a link on BBC Sport to l'equipe article on Amavi being chased by Palace and Napoli which lead to one on the curse of the Villa on French players and Remi Garde and presumably talked about Sanson (behind a paywall sadly)One person said I visited Birmingham when I was a student,it was awful.The reply from another Frenchman,you obviously didn't visit 'the jewel in the crown',Villa Park,the fans are fantastic.
I couldn't add my 4 cents worth as you had to subscribe but it was nice to read such a lovely comment.
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Looking forward to his first interview where he finishes by saying “By the way everyone, I know it’s “up” too”.
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Welcome to Aston Villa
(https://pbs.twimg.com/ad_img/1354114550363283456/ZNhpGshu?format=jpg&name=small)
https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1354116420989308932
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/Villa-announce-Sanson-signing-/
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We signed him off.
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Excellent. Adding to the squad from a position of strength.
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I reckon there's an elevated chance Morgan Sansom will become the next Ciaran Clarke.
Or Kieran Davies
You mean Keenan?
What's Kevin Keelan got to do with it?
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I'm not falling for that one.That's Ryland,
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;D ;D Please please be very good!!!
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We signed him off.
Let's hope we don't fuck him up.
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Now fuck them off , get into them ?
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Welcome to the Villa, Morgan.
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Bienvenue. Ne dis pas "off".
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Is Sanson the French word for mcginn
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Welcome Morgan to a fabulous football club.
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Interview is up on the website.
"Sorry for my English" are the first words out of his mouth..........then proceeds to conduct an interview in very good English.
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Welcome I hope that you have a great time at our club and don’t be shit
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Welcome Morgan and good luck!
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Welcome to the best club you ever play for Morgan
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Welcome I hope that you have a great time at our club and don’t be shit
Ah yes. The best H&V cliché imo happens within a few posts of welcoming a new signing every time without fail - the "Welcome to the Villa. Please don't be shit". It's funny cos it's true!
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Welcome to Aston Villa Morgan I'm really excited by this signing.
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Welcome Morgan! Go and tear up the Premier League !
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Welcome, just seen the interview with him. Said he has been watching our games from December.
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Good stuff, available for tomorrow?
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Good stuff, available for tomorrow?
Burnley on a freezing Wednesday night in January. The ultimate test.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
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Great interview, seems confident and I'm guessing you're not going to describe yourself as a 'warrior' unless you get stuck in and tackle a bit more than Henri Lansbury.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
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Welcome to Villa Park.
Captain Morgan has a good ring to it if Grealish ever gets subbed again.
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Sois le bienvenu, Morgan, au meilleur club du monde !
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Good stuff, available for tomorrow?
Presumably we still have to do all the work permit stuff.
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Happy with this, looks like he plays a lot like Mcginn and that energy is a big part of why we're so good this year.
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Welcome, just seen the interview with him. Said he has been watching our games from December.
Hopefully not December 2012.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
How good is his English? Do we know, for example, whether he understands the difference between ‘up’ and ‘off’?
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Have we ever had a Morgan?
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Dingles in meltdown as Morgan mentions our derby with the Baggies rather than them.
Welcome, Morgan. DBS
Seems we made our approach back in December and he was our number 1 target. I love it when a plan comes together.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
How good is his English? Do we know, for example, whether he understands the difference between ‘up’ and ‘off’?
Decent English in the interview, although he did describe us as a mythical club.
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Have we ever had a Morgan?
Sammy Morgan.
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He's our new Sammy Morgan albeit in reverse (almost).
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Great news welcome Morgan.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsreybSXEAIXDws?format=jpg&name=small)
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What type of midfielder is he?
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
How good is his English? Do we know, for example, whether he understands the difference between ‘up’ and ‘off’?
I hope he was asked to explain law 11 in English before he put pen to paper.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
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Welcome.... now get out there and kick ass
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Welcome to Villa Park.
Captain Morgan has a good ring to it if Grealish ever gets subbed again.
That'll be a rum do.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
How good is his English? Do we know, for example, whether he understands the difference between ‘up’ and ‘off’?
Decent English in the interview, although he did describe us as a mythical club.
He was struggling to find an English translation for "club mythique", which is standard French football parlance when referring to a big club with an illustrious history.
I like "legendary", myself!
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Welcome Morgan!
Is he eligible to play tomorrow night?
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Welcome Morgan!
Is he eligible to play tomorrow night?
I think he had to be registered by midday today for that, so possibly not. Probably makes sense to wait until the weekend anyway.
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Welcome Morgan!
Is he eligible to play tomorrow night?
OK, thanks.
I think he had to be registered by midday today for that, so possibly not. Probably makes sense to wait until the weekend anyway.
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Not to be put any pressure on him but if he is anywhere as near as good as the rest of our signings this season, he will be fantastic after settling in. Looking forward to seeing the warrior!
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
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Dingles in meltdown as Morgan mentions our derby with the Baggies rather than them.
Welcome, Morgan. DBS
Seems we made our approach back in December and he was our number 1 target. I love it when a plan comes together.
It's great to know that we're signing players who have been on the radar for a while, and also players who have been specifically identified because they will fit into a long term plan for improving the squad and their ability to adapt to the way we play. I'm happier with the direction of the club now than I have been for many a long year.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
Plays off both feet. More graceful than McGinn.
Dean said "will add real competition for starting places and gives us more squad depth which is vital to competing successfully in the Premier League."
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(https://i.ibb.co/Hz6Qx4t/093-FFB67-1333-4-F2-E-9-FF6-3110-D3550-B4-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Hz6Qx4t)
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Great interview, seems confident and I'm guessing you're not going to describe yourself as a 'warrior' unless you get stuck in and tackle a bit more than Henri Lansbury.
I never I thought I'd see the words "warrior" and "Henri Lansbury" in the same sentence.
Do we have a Chanson for Sanson?
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I liked his answer of "West Brom" to the dumb "Who are you most looking forward to playing against?" question.
Don't be getting the player dreaming of a SkySix club in his first feckin' interview! Good lad, knows the importance of a derby.
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Guilbert could be important in helpung him settle.
We'll have a few French speakers in the squad, eg Traoré.
How good is his English? Do we know, for example, whether he understands the difference between ‘up’ and ‘off’?
More importantly, does he understand “deliberate attempt to play the ball” ?
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
Ross Barkley replacement, that can tackle.
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I hope it does not mean we will see less of Ramsay but i suppose no room for sentiment
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
Ross Barkley replacement, that can tackle.
Don’t think so. I’m no expert on Sanson, but I think Barkley is a different sort of player - one we definitely need.
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I hope it does not mean we will see less of Ramsay but i suppose no room for sentiment
He's only 19 though Hookey, he'll get his chance. If anything, it will hopefully mean that he's not rushed in when he's not ready. He should have a season long loan in the Championship next season.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
im with you there mate. Haven’t got a clue when people start talking about shirt numbers. If someone says oh he’s an 8 or a 10 or a 6, my mind just thinks Shaw, Cowans, Mortimer. If he’s as good as those three rolled into one, we’ll have some player on our hands. Look out Jack!
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I love the way he runs with the ball not afraid to take players on and he sores great goals like I've said before I'm exited by him.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
He's played out wide for Marseille at points too so can probably play anywhere across midfield. A right footed McGinn who's stats show him winning the ball higher up the field than what McGinn does. Useful to have someone so versatile as it can help to keep the squad size down whilst still having options and giving chance for the kids to come through.
im with you there mate. Haven’t got a clue when people start talking about shirt numbers. If someone says oh he’s an 8 or a 10 or a 6, my mind just thinks Shaw, Cowans, Mortimer. If he’s as good as those three rolled into one, we’ll have some player on our hands. Look out Jack!
In our system:
Luiz is a 6, he sits deeper, breaks play up and gets us moving forward.
McGinn is an 8, he gets up and down the pitch and presses the ball.
Barkley is a 10, he stays fairly high up the pitch and his job is to link play between the midfield and Watkins.
That's massively over simplifying it but what he means is that he sees Sanson as being able to cover for all of those.
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I’ve just watched the obligatory YouTube mashup of him. Without wanting to fall into that particular trap, he looks pretty fkn decent. From that he looks to me more like a cross between Barkly and McGinn. Pacy, direct and an eye for goal. Listening to Smith’s pre Burnley comments it was interesting he said that we’ve now got options in terms of how we set up and there are different ways we can go about winning games. He referenced Newcastle saying it would’ve been easy to go gung ho, but the staff felt they needed to be first and foremost solid, which I guess was why they brought in Nakamba. Great to have that option if McGinn, or Ross aren’t available. Or even to displace them on merit. Bit of a tangent here, but what really struck me about The Newcastle match was how good the shape looked both in defence and attack. Nobody getting pulled out of position or marked out of the game. If he can slot in and help us keep that, we’ve got a decent chance of European qualification this season.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
Morgan is.not a number he is a Freeman. Okay then he's a Number Six.
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What type of midfielder is he?
He's alot like McGinn from everything I can find, high energy, closes the ball fast and tries to move the ball forward fast.
Well, according to Dean, he can play as a 10, an 8 or a 6. Whatever the hell that means.
That he's an Even headed player and not an Odd ball :)
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STSABH? Is it actually done? It's not ITSOTP yet...
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Jesus Christmas mate, could you actually be any more condescending? I don't think it's possible.
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I think Deano should step aside and let Footy break the news to SJM. It'll be quicker that way.
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It's going to take time for Sanson to establish himself, and if as Footy predicts after putting the feelers out and doing some scouting, he does replace SJM, then we've got ourselves a very good player indeed.
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If you think Mcginn is all 'hustle and bustle' and lacks technical ability, you're going to shit yourself when you see footage of his goal against Sheff Wed.... or his first time assist for Jack's 7th against Livepool.
It's perfectly possible to believe Sanson is a better player than McGinn, without the need to denigrate him or where he was signed from (or for how much). SJM will likely be considered one of the best buys we've made in decades, his fee is of no consequence when it comes to his performances on the pitch - which apart from a spell coming back from injury have been largely very good, and often excellent.
If Sanson genuinely turns out to be an all round improvement on SJM, then great - but it won't be because McGinn is lacking as a player, it'll be because Sanson is just incredibly good.
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If all players were judged by their roots, then signing the likes of Dwight Yorke when touring Trinidad and Tobago was something that would never have been considered. Also Leicester obviously made a terrible mistake in signing Vardy from the non-league and Southampton shouldn't have taken Virgil Van Dijk from Celtic.
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If we were to sell McGinn now, it would be for considerably more than what we're paying for Sanson.
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
I agree, I was meaning purely based on footy's assessment of his worth based on original fee..
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
Exactly. Interesting though that in the pre-match press thing, Smith said one of the criteria they looked at for new players was "toughness" and playing at last 70% of matches for the last three years. Surely that would have ruled out Barkley?
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
Yeah, agree totally. Not sure he needs to be replacing a specific player. Players get injured, suspended, out of form. There's definitely a place for a player who can play in a few different roles.
As you'd said too, it's not as if your can compete on multiple fronts (e.g. europe) if you have 11 players playing 90% of games and then the other 14 just sitting out twiddling their fingers.
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
I agree, I was meaning purely based on footy's assessment of his worth based on original fee..
That Riyad Mahrez must be really crap then. Leicester got him from the French 2nd division for £400K.
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Here's a Marseille fans forum, they liked him.
Click the english translation in the top right hand corner (unless you can parlez vous francaise obviously).
https://forum.lephoceen.fr/threads/morgan-sanson-head-of-tourisme.75909/page-178
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I don't see why we need to sell anyone and why cannot also keep Barkley. If we are going to operate at the top end of the table and into Europe we need real depth and ability to rotate where the standard does not drop off. I say keep everyone and let them fight it out. We need to able to rest/rotate/challenge every player.
I agree, I was meaning purely based on footy's assessment of his worth based on original fee..
yep wasn't directed at you Mr D. Just a general comment that we need to have serious depth everywhere and we are slowly getting there. And especially if we get into the Europa which we all know is a long and taxing tournament
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Here's a Marseille fans forum, they liked him.
Click the english translation in the top right hand corner (unless you can parlez vous francaise obviously).
https://forum.lephoceen.fr/threads/morgan-sanson-head-of-tourisme.75909/page-178
Cheers for that. Seems to be a good egg who works hard on the pitch and doesn't cause much strife around off it. Also a bit of praise for Villa and Brum.
"Good choice anyway. Aston Villa are a great team if they keep Grealish and Douglas Luiz. Birmingham very beautiful city too. Anyway, good luck to him."
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Reading that Marseille forum he sounds very much like a French McGinn.
My favourite quote
"Good guy, fuck you Morgan"
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Not much to choose between Luiz, Barkley and McGinn this evening, as they were all miles below the standards they're capable of.
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After Ross struggled i think he needs ousting for Sanson!
Its good we have competition
Or McGinn. Let’s not ease him in gently. Play him Saturday
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Not much to choose between Luiz, Barkley and McGinn this evening, as they were all miles below the standards they're capable of.
Luiz was poor generally, and Barkley's passing is so wayward at times it becomes a liability.
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We've got Nakamaba who gave a good account of himself last match, and now Sanson to come in. Time for Smith to start showing the squad that any sloppy games and they're out.
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We still looked too open after we went 2-1 in front. Should've put Nakamba on to help combat their change in formation with the subs coming on.
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We've got Nakamaba who gave a good account of himself last match, and now Sanson to come in. Time for Smith to start showing the squad that any sloppy games and they're out.
That Newcastle game was a joke though with it's lack of intensity. Nakamba did well for sure but he's very limited. Barkley must be coming under pressure.
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We still looked too open after we went 2-1 in front. Should've put Nakamba on to help combat their change in formation with the subs coming on.
In hindsight, I agree and perhaps Smith might think the same for scenarios like that.
I thought Barkley and McGinn were excellent in the first half. That moment when McGinn was protecting the ball (like he does) and then next second playing a sublime through ball to Watkins blind showed that he's got a picture of the play in his head. In the first half there were a few instances where players had to have a picture in their head of where someone was. Really good understanding that comes from playing with the same people regularly.
In the second half, there was too much of a gap between the defence and the midfield and as a result, the defence weren't being protected well enough.
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We still looked too open after we went 2-1 in front. Should've put Nakamba on to help combat their change in formation with the subs coming on.
Agree, should have put Nakamba on for McGinn or Barkley and put Trezeguet on for Traore.
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Yep, make those two changes and gone 4-4-1-1. No need to bust a gut to get a third goal, just control the ball, control the game and take the pressure off the defence. Play out time and get them more frustrated thus leaving gaps at the back for Ollie and Jack to exploit.
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Heard a snippet on the radio earlier that he is available for tomorrow.
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Dean said so in his presser.
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Hadn’t realised that OM had been in such poor form, apparently 300 fans set about the training complex today and their league game has had to be called off.
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Let's hope he is as tough as our last Morgan ........Sammy
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Puzzled to why he received no game time for a home debut today ?
Expected to see him play some part.
In time I suspect.
He came on against West Ham in the last game.
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No need to rush him in. We had 6 games in 18 days, it was always going to be hectic. Time to have a proper look at him in the remaining games will come.
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It took Traore a few games of being on the bench before he got his chance, and I expect it will be the same for Sanson.
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Sign of a team on the up when you can ease a highly-rated new player in gradually.
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With games so finely balanced chucking a new player in isn’t always a good idea.
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With games so finely balanced chucking a new player in isn’t always a good idea.
Yes . Lingard never got that memo.
He was his total shite self today.
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It took Traore a few games of being on the bench before he got his chance, and I expect it will be the same for Sanson.
Yup.
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It took Traore a few games of being on the bench before he got his chance, and I expect it will be the same for Sanson.
Yup.
Yep
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Apparently the fee was €11m upfront for him with €4m due in the summer. An extra €3m in bonuses, depending on how well he does and we do.
Seems pretty reasonable.
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Indeed it does.
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No need to rush him in. We had 6 games in 18 days, it was always going to be hectic. Time to have a proper look at him in the remaining games will come.
6 games in 18 days is absolutely fucking insane, especially coming after the disruption and ill-health of a large scale covid outbreak.
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Apparently the fee was €11m upfront for him with €4m due in the summer. An extra €3m in bonuses, depending on how well he does and we do.
Seems pretty reasonable.
Purslow said we were quoted significantly more last summer when we approached them.
With what's going on at Marseille at the moment, he seems to have gotten out at the right time.
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No need to rush him in. We had 6 games in 18 days, it was always going to be hectic. Time to have a proper look at him in the remaining games will come.
6 games in 18 days is absolutely fucking insane, especially coming after the disruption and ill-health of a large scale covid outbreak.
Massively. Won 3, lost 3, with a bizarre result at Burnley and a dire performance against West Ham. Those two games and the results are likely a feature of that game every 3 days.
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Wouldn't be surprised to see him start instead of Barkley. Barkley's altercation with the drinks bottle gives DS an excuse to leave him on the bench, and bring him back on with 20mins left to redeem himself.
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When he brought Sanson on, it was as one of the holding midfield roles. When he's taken Barkley off, he's put Ramsey on. That says more to me as to where he sees him playing.
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When he brought Sanson on, it was as one of the holding midfield roles. When he's taken Barkley off, he's put Ramsey on. That says more to me as to where he sees him playing.
Yes it seems to be Marv for Doug, Morgan for SJM and Jacob for Ross
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Anyone notice that Purslow pronounced it as SonSon - we can definitely do SonSon amour I reckon when we are allowed back.
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This week will probably be the first time the squad have properly trained together for almost a month, so finally a chance to test Sanson and integrate him into team’s pattern of play and formations. He’ll need to be top six quality to be regularly picked ahead on the current midfield.
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Anyone notice that Purslow pronounced it as SonSon - we can definitely do SonSon amour I reckon when we are allowed back.
Very good!!
This week will probably be the first time the squad have properly trained together for almost a month, so finally a chance to test Sanson and integrate him into team’s pattern of play and formations. He’ll need to be top six quality to be regularly picked ahead on the current midfield.
Do you like the Beatles?
Well if he's still making subs appearances from the bench
Here comes Sanson do do do do
Here comes Sanson!
Hate the Beatles, Floppy haired scouse *****
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Now now!
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Anyone notice that Purslow pronounced it as SonSon - we can definitely do SonSon amour I reckon when we are allowed back.
Very good!!
This week will probably be the first time the squad have properly trained together for almost a month, so finally a chance to test Sanson and integrate him into team’s pattern of play and formations. He’ll need to be top six quality to be regularly picked ahead on the current midfield.
Do you like the Beatles?
Well if he's still making subs appearances from the bench
Here comes Sanson do do do do
Here comes Sanson!
Hate the Beatles, Floppy haired scouse *****
I like them, so this could prove a problem for us but I'm sure we can work it out.
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Well how about Cat Stevens?
Dean is like a Father to Sanson
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, next to O'Kelly and JT
You're still new, not your fault
I'm the boss- the head coach- Deano
Find a seat, settle down
If you want next to Ramsey
Look at him, He's not old, but he's happy
Conor was once like you are now
And I know we use Ross Barkley
So be calm and until you've found
"Sanson you're coming on"
But I'll wait my time, I think a lot
Think of all the games coming up
For you will still be here tomorrow
But Henri Lansbury is not
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Please, will somebody think of the children?
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Well how about Cat Stevens?
Dean is like a Father to Sanson
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, next to O'Kelly and JT
You're still new, not your fault
I'm the boss- the head coach- Deano
Find a seat, settle down
If you want next to Ramsey
Look at him, He's not old, but he's happy
Conor was once like you are now
And I know we use Ross Barkley
So be calm and until you've found
"Sanson you're coming on"
But I'll wait my time, I think a lot
Think of all the games coming up
For you will still be here tomorrow
But Henri Lansbury is not
Brilliant. (Sorry everyone).
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I like it.
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Haha, some of those lines are brilliant (and some don't scan at all) but by God, Footy Vill, there is a future for you and it's shining.
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Come back Glenn Peen, all is forgiven.
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Great stuff Mr Footy-Vill, keep 'em coming.
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I now have a 50 year old song that I never liked buzzing around my head which I'm not happy about.
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50? Come on Bren, weren't you slow-dancing to this at a disco in Erdington, 1986?
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I now have a 50 year old song that I never liked buzzing around my head which I'm not happy about.
Never mlnd that, when I heard that Mary Wilson had died, I had 'My Guy' stuck in my head until it dawned on me she didnt even sing it.
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Come back Glenn Peen, all is forgiven.
I take it that it didn't make you feel like cupping your slenders?
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I now have a 50 year old song that I never liked buzzing around my head which I'm not happy about.
Never mlnd that, when I heard that Mary Wilson had died, I had 'My Guy' stuck in my head until it dawned on me she didnt even sing it.
Ha. That happens . Where are you with 'My Girl' do you recognise it as a song by Madness or the Temptations?
When Dean Smith was asked he said the Temptations
Why ?
"Well I guess you'd say
Watkins makes me feel this way"
Later in the same interview when he was asked about the ill-feeling towards him from his previous club, he replied:
“I’ve got so much money,
The Bees envy me”.
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Sanson pour moi.
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Remixed from when we had Ryan Bertrand.
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Come back Glenn Peen, all is forgiven.
I take it that it didn't make you feel like cupping your slenders?
What a line that was, is and always will be.
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Well how about Cat Stevens?
Dean is like a Father to Sanson
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, next to O'Kelly and JT
You're still new, not your fault
I'm the boss- the head coach- Deano
Find a seat, settle down
If you want next to Ramsey
Look at him, He's not old, but he's happy
Conor was once like you are now
And I know we use Ross Barkley
So be calm and until you've found
"Sanson you're coming on"
But I'll wait my time, I think a lot
Think of all the games coming up
For you will still be here tomorrow
But Henri Lansbury is not
Genius
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Good cameo tonight. Brilliant first touch and then showed some really positive signs.
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Not sure why he got booked. Looks like he can hit the box as the advanced midfielder.
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A low bar was set in terms of energy and how the midfield was bypassed but he brought a lot of what was expected. Got into a scoring position too, if not for being marked by the Brighton player, a very good chance to have put that one away. It was one of the few highlights in the final third all night.
They may wish to ease him in as Traoré was but personally I’d be happy to see him start against Leicester.
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I put this in a match thread somewhere but I think it belongs here:
Sanson d'amour (ra da da da da)
Play encore
In Villa Park (ra da da da da)
Scores and more
Sanson d'amour (ra da da da da)
Je t'adore
Each time you score (ra da da da da)
Sanson, Sanson d'amour.
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Not sure why he got booked. Looks like he can hit the box as the advanced midfielder.
He got booked because the match was being refereed by an idiot.
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BE, can you confirm the phonetic translation of Sanson? The commentators so far are going with "Sonson" with an attempt at a French flourish but they sound stupid. SAN-son surely ?
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Not sure why he got booked. Looks like he can hit the box as the advanced midfielder.
He got booked because the match was being refereed by an idiot.
I didn't mind that, as the alternative was booking McGinn. Sanson really shouldn't be close to suspension given the number of games remaining.
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BE, can you confirm the phonetic translation of Sanson? The commentators so far are going with "Sonson" with an attempt at a French flourish but they sound stupid. SAN-son surely ?
If pronounced in French there is no unstressed syllable. If I were pronouncing it in Engerlish I would say it as I would 'Samson' but with an 'n' in place of the 'm'.
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A couple of nice touches from him against Brighton.
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Thank you, that's what I thought it was.
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Be nice if he’s got up to speed enough in training to warrant a start against Leicester
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Spoke to the the bloke I know who works down the Villa, for the first time in a couple of months, this week. He mentioned that Sanson was amazed at the facilities and the setup at Villa.
I thought that was some going as he’s moved, arguably, from the biggest club in France.
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BE, can you confirm the phonetic translation of Sanson? The commentators so far are going with "Sonson" with an attempt at a French flourish but they sound stupid. SAN-son surely ?
If pronounced in French there is no unstressed syllable. If I were pronouncing it in Engerlish I would say it as I would 'Samson' but with an 'n' in place of the 'm'.
I don’t know why, but I found this really funny.
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My former boss used it a lot for difficult Irish names (Aoife, Niamh, even Siobhan which I thought the Brits had a handle on by now).
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Neem, Shu-vorn. No idea with that first one. Ee-fee?
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Ee-fah according to Google.
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Ee-fah according to Google.
Correct, first one is Neev or Nieve (as is believe) and the third is more She-vawn.
How about Caoimhín, Aoibheann, or Eoghan?
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Keevah, Ahva, Owen?
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Keevah, Ahva, Owen?
Good try and Owen is correct. Eoghan and Seán are the Gaelic equivalents of John. First two are more Qwee-veen and Eh-veen (or A-veen).
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Keevah, Ahva, Owen?
Good try and Owen is correct. Eoghan and Seán are the Gaelic equivalents of John. First two are more Qwee-veen and Eh-veen (or A-veen).
I'm taking that as a win. Even though my name is Paddy.
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Ee-fah according to Google.
Correct, first one is Neev or Nieve (as is believe) and the third is more She-vawn.
How about Caoimhín, Aoibheann, or Eoghan?
Niamh is one I've struggled on in the past. Weirdly even after I found out it rhymed with leave (thanks to a kid's book)
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Our one-and-only granddaughter who is English born and bred has the name Aoife, I'd imagine that was her father's choice. I went with her mother when she was registered in Dudley. When DIL told the registrar her name, said registrar looked quizzically at her and said 'what kind of a name is that?. DIL replied 'Irish', the registrar then asked how was it spelt? She was told and then said 'i've never heard that in my life'.
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Ee-fah according to Google.
Correct, first one is Neev or Nieve (as is believe) and the third is more She-vawn.
How about Caoimhín, Aoibheann, or Eoghan?
Niamh is one I've struggled on in the past. Weirdly even after I found out it rhymed with leave (thanks to a kid's book)
That's a good way of explaining it, one to remember for future reference.
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Our one-and-only granddaughter who is English born and bred has the name Aoife, I'd imagine that was her father's choice.
Aoife is lovely name meaning beauty as is Cliodhna (Kleena) but my favourite is probably Sorcha.
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Despite my ancestry, Irish is a ridiculous language.
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Our one-and-only granddaughter who is English born and bred has the name Aoife, I'd imagine that was her father's choice.
Aoife is lovely name meaning beauty as is Cliodhna (Kleena) but my favourite is probably Sorcha.
Beautiful names. I particularly love the name Roisin.
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I have a cousin called Niamh.
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Sounds like how a Brummie would pronounce raisen.
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How's Morgan's Gaelic, I wonder?
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Despite my ancestry, Irish is a ridiculous language.
I know, I did Honours Irish so had to study it till I was 18. It is a bit mad to be fair, as I posted previously
Bean = woman (pronounced ban)
An bhean = the woman (pronounced van)
Mná = women (pronounced menAW)
Na mná = the women
Hataí ban = women's hats
Cumann na mBan = The Women's Council (mBan pronounced man)
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How's Morgan's Gaelic, I wonder?
Depends how much time he's spent in Brittany and whether he's learnt to speak some Breton.
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How's Morgan's Gaelic, I wonder?
Depends how much time he's spent in Brittany and whether he's learnt to speak some Breton.
What do you reckon? - born right in the middle of France, he debuted for Le Mans as a pro footballer, so he may have ventured into Brittany to practise his Gaelic ...
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Despite my ancestry, Irish is a ridiculous language.
I know, I did Honours Irish so had to study it till I was 18. It is a bit mad to be fair, as I posted previously
Bean = woman (pronounced ban)
An bhean = the woman (pronounced van)
Mná = women (pronounced menAW)
Na mná = the women
Hataí ban = women's hats
Cumann na mBan = The Women's Council (mBan pronounced man)
It sounds wonderful when spoken I think.
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Ee-fah according to Google.
Correct, first one is Neev or Nieve (as is believe) and the third is more She-vawn.
How about Caoimhín, Aoibheann, or Eoghan?
Niamh is one I've struggled on in the past. Weirdly even after I found out it rhymed with leave (thanks to a kid's book)
I meant "Neev", not sure why I typed "Neem". Stupid brain 😡
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How's Morgan's Gaelic, I wonder?
Depends how much time he's spent in Brittany and whether he's learnt to speak some Breton.
What do you reckon? - born right in the middle of France, he debuted for Le Mans as a pro footballer, so he may have ventured into Brittany to practise his Gaelic ...
Not sure, I'll have to check with eastie.
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Our one-and-only granddaughter who is English born and bred has the name Aoife, I'd imagine that was her father's choice.
Aoife is lovely name meaning beauty as is Cliodhna (Kleena) but my favourite is probably Sorcha.
Saoirse....
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The irish version of Conor is Conchubhar. You absolutely will not be able to work out how it's pronounced.
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Convar
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The irish version of Conor is Conchubhar. You absolutely will not be able to work out how it's pronounced.
Are you a Gearóid as well?
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Convar
Not a bad effort, but it's actually pronounced "cruh-hoor". I'm not sure how either.
Are you a Gearóid as well?
I am indeed.
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My former boss used it a lot for difficult Irish names (Aoife, Niamh, even Siobhan which I thought the Brits had a handle on by now).
I’d hope so by now, too. A few years ago I was having to grit my teeth and write yearly school reports for a child called Siobhan, spelt (her parents insisted) ‘Sibohan’.
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I think most football pundits and commentators should use for all names before a match. I watched an interview with Ayling of Leeds the other day and he even said his name during a story, the interviewer still pronounced it wrong.
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Convar
Not a bad effort, but it's actually pronounced "cruh-hoor". I'm not sure how either.
That's what I said... 😉
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How's Morgan's Gaelic, I wonder?
Depends how much time he's spent in Brittany and whether he's learnt to speak some Breton.
What do you reckon? - born right in the middle of France, he debuted for Le Mans as a pro footballer, so he may have ventured into Brittany to practise his Gaelic ...
Not sure, I'll have to check with eastie.
;D ;D
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Niamh is my sister's name. She winced every time someone tried introducing her in her first few years in London before embracing the puzzled pronunciations. I thought I had it bad in the UK with my name but Messrs Andrews and, more depressingly that tubby motor mouth Holmes, have unknowingly paved the way.
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We need to get Morgan more minutes. He shows energy, drive and presses the ball - something that is massively missing from the rest of our midfield at the moment.
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Yep, both him and Ramsey showed more in their brief cameos than the rest of the midfielders did the entire game
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He closed well. I think with McGinn as an 8 and Ramsey too, we have infinitely more off the ball running.
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We looked half decent for he short priod that he and Ramsey were on the pitch, definitely worth trying again from the start next week.
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I think it shows how far we have come in a short space of time that we have been able to make a big money signing and spend time integrating him with the squad / tactics rather than throwing him in to sink / swim as would have been the case in the last half a dozen January windows.
Little cameos we have seen he has looked v promising....wonder if Wednesday evening will be his first start.
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Good point.
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Really like him. He’s technically good, shows great energy and movement. He helped balance the midfield.
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Really like him. He’s technically good, shows great energy and movement. He helped balance the midfield.
I thought he was really good until he picked up his knock, the last 10mins before he went off he was clearly struggling and they should've got him off sooner.
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I thought he was all at sea for the first 20 mins but gradually worked his way into the game and became more influential as time went on
I was hopping mad when he was taken off until I realised why.
I like him.
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Thought he did very well. Look forward to seeing more from him,
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Is he any better than Ramsey?
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At this time absolutely yes.
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Thought he was stunted a little with the booking he picked up but he actually drove to the byline and got decent balls across a couple of times. More to come from him, I'm sure.
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He has two feet, which shouldn't be remarkable, but is.
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The midfield looks more robust with him, McGinn and Luiz. McGinn incparticular looked more creative (and destructive further up) with more mates around.
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Decent enough game today I thought, looks promising.
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I thought the same. Some nice touches and a willingness to get involved.
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Showed good energy. Thought he done well, was fuming with smith when he went off until I seen the ice wrapped around his knee.
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Me too. Hope nothing too serious. I like the look of him.
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For the first 15 mins he was invisible but grew really well.into the game to such a point that I was fuming when he came off, unaware of the injury.
I look forward to seeing him again.
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Looks like he could be a sound signing when he gets to the pace, there were a couple of times when he took the ball on the half turn in very tight spaces and spun away. A skill that indicates he has talent.
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Yes, very promising. Sure to start against Newcastle barring injury you would hope.
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He's just being eased in. We should see the best of him next season when he's had a full pre-season.
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Looks like he could be a sound signing when he gets to the pace, there were a couple of times when he took the ball on the half turn in very tight spaces and spun away. A skill that indicates he has talent.
Loads of potential, needs more game time. Looks a great signing
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Showed good energy. Thought he done well, was fuming with smith when he went off until I seen the ice wrapped around his knee.
Ankle, not knee!
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His numbers from yesterday's 61mins on the pitch:
47 touches of the ball and completed 82% of his passes, also winning seven of his nine ground duels and three tackles.
I think he's going to be a success.
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Saw this on internet today. Surely it's way too soon to be making this sort of judgement, but equally worrying if true:
https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-sanson-big-mistake-deal/
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Not sure I’d even believe the date on that website
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Saw this on internet today. Surely it's way too soon to be making this sort of judgement, but equally worrying if true:
https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-sanson-big-mistake-deal/
“Smith is under fire in some quarters of the club for letting Conor Hourihane join Swansea”. Hahaha - what a total load of made up bollocks this article is!
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A bit early to judge but I was hoping to see a bit more from him.
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Bloody hell give him a chance. I did, I still do think Conor is good enough for the bench, but come on
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What an absolute load of horse shite that article is.
FFS give the bloke a break. He’s been here since January in a team that’s underperforming and missing it’s best player.
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I’ve always thought he’s a signing for next season when he gets up to PL speed
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It’s fucking ridiculous to make any sort of judgement on him at this point.
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Saw this on internet today. Surely it's way too soon to be making this sort of judgement, but equally worrying if true:
https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-sanson-big-mistake-deal/
“Smith is under fire in some quarters of the club for letting Conor Hourihane join Swansea”. Hahaha - what a total load of made up bollocks this article is!
With the infrastructure in place at the club now, do you really think the issues outlined in this article are likely to have happened?
Certainly doesn't ring true for me.
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Everything about Sanson suggests to me that there was an opportunity to get him at a reduced price and the decision was made to buy him ahead of schedule.
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I think he has looked ok to be honest - some decent touches and a few errors.
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Everything about Sanson suggests to me that there was an opportunity to get him at a reduced price and the decision was made to buy him ahead of schedule.
Which is good if so.
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He does have a similar build to Conor. Slight, slim, tall but wiry. I just hope he's not going to be a passenger without the ball which is one of Conor's failings.
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He does have a similar build to Conor. Slight, slim, tall but wiry. I just hope he's not going to be a passenger without the ball which is one of Conor's failings.
He's definitely quicker, and appears quite a bit stronger. Right now, I'd say his performances have been ok. He's shown some nice touches, but there have been periods where the games have completely passed him by, which is worrying for a CM. I put that all down to acclimatising to the new league and new players around him. I've certainly seen enough to think he's got what it takes to play in the Premier League - whether he's a proper asset for a team with one eye on the top 4, the jury is out I guess.
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Everything about Sanson suggests to me that there was an opportunity to get him at a reduced price and the decision was made to buy him ahead of schedule.
Purslow has said as much in an interview.
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He’s French. This never ends well at the Villa. Even Didier Six’s early promise wasn’t sustained. (G Sinstadt c1987).
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He’s French. This never ends well at the Villa. Even Didier Six’s early promise wasn’t sustained. (G Sinstadt c1987).
God knows where that video ended up, sure I had one the one's they'd put the Burnley team on the front of. Can't find it online either, Villaboy has snippets of it.
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Everything about Sanson suggests to me that there was an opportunity to get him at a reduced price and the decision was made to buy him ahead of schedule.
Which is good if so.
It is. With the caveat...if he's any good.
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He’s French. This never ends well at the Villa. Even Didier Six’s early promise wasn’t sustained. (G Sinstadt c1987).
God knows where that video ended up, sure I had one the one's they'd put the Burnley team on the front of. Can't find it online either, Villaboy has snippets of it.
I remember thinking and being excited by that exotic signing at the time
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Great first cross in first game for Withe against Manure. Followed by typically non plussed sulky celebration.
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Not getting my juices flowing this lad
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Is he a bit physically weak?
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Not sure Eamon but him and Barkley of a similar parity at present
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Looks a bit of a nothing player.
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It's early days and he does need to adapt from the French League to this one but finding it hard to see so far what Villa's-Boas was so upset about his transfer that he provoking his own sacking.
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Bland.
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Everyone is bland right now. Why pick him out? If we were playing well he would be. But since Jack has been out, the defence aside the rest of them look absolutely awful. Sanson isn’t the type of player to change all of that
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Not sure he’s got anything in his locker other than bland. Some of his colleagues have but keeping it under lock and key at present.
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Beige player. Hope he gets better.
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Here we go again.
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He will be fine, I have no doubts.
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Not the only one but he was miles off the pace yet again.
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He's always been a signing with one eye on next season for me with these games giving him a chance to get a feel for what the Premier League is about.
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I just can't see what sort of player he's going to be. He looks neat and tidy, but doesn't do enough dirty work to be a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, and isn't attacking enough to to be a more forward thinking player. Hope he comes good, but so far hasn't shown that he's especially good in any particular area.
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I thought he did ok today actually but yeah, it's difficult to work out what exactly his role is
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McGinn as the attacking midfielder with this guy as sub. He's definitely a defensive mid in any shape or form.
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I just can't see what sort of player he's going to be. He looks neat and tidy, but doesn't do enough dirty work to be a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, and isn't attacking enough to to be a more forward thinking player. Hope he comes good, but so far hasn't shown that he's especially good in any particular area.
Bought to compete with McGinn (and Barkley) we were told. As we saw with the likes of Gueye and Veretout, the step up in intensity from French football to the PL is a big one. Sanson needs a hard pre season in him to be able to compete physically at PL level, half a yard short at the moment. I'm more worried about Luiz to be honest. Diabolical yet again today.
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I just can't see what sort of player he's going to be. He looks neat and tidy, but doesn't do enough dirty work to be a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, and isn't attacking enough to to be a more forward thinking player. Hope he comes good, but so far hasn't shown that he's especially good in any particular area.
Bought to compete with McGinn (and Barkley) we were told. As we saw with the likes of Gueye and Veretout, the step up in intensity from French football to the PL is a big one. Sanson needs a hard pre season in him to be able to compete physically at PL level, half a yard short at the moment. I'm more worried about Luiz to be honest. Diabolical yet again today.
Very good observation, totally on point.
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I just can't see what sort of player he's going to be. He looks neat and tidy, but doesn't do enough dirty work to be a box-to-box or defensive midfielder, and isn't attacking enough to to be a more forward thinking player. Hope he comes good, but so far hasn't shown that he's especially good in any particular area.
Bought to compete with McGinn (and Barkley) we were told. As we saw with the likes of Gueye and Veretout, the step up in intensity from French football to the PL is a big one. Sanson needs a hard pre season in him to be able to compete physically at PL level, half a yard short at the moment. I'm more worried about Luiz to be honest. Diabolical yet again today.
Yes that is my view and it’s the reason he didn’t feature except from the bench earlier. He’s getting a look now because of Grealish’s injury but it’s obvious there’s a way to go yet. As for Luiz he’s another player who was outstanding IMO before COVID but shocking since
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Gets the ball and drives forward well. Probably a bit of a cliche but just needs to get used to the pace of the game over here. He will be fine.
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He looks well off the pace and lightweight.
Let’s hope he adjusts.
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Far too early to make any judgement. I think he'll turn out to be quite good eventually, seems like a Veretout sort of player.
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Look at how well Jordan Veretout, Idrissa Gueye and to a slightly lesser extent Jordan Amavi’s career turned out. I was listening to Gab Marcotti raving about Veretout the other day as being one of the most influential players for Roma. Players can take time to adjust to a new way of life, new club, system. Lots of things. It’s safer and sometimes a little quicker but always more expensive buying domestically. You just have to wait a little longer for the pay off with players from other countries. He’s proven himself to be a good player in France. I’m looking forward to seeing him maximize his potential for us.
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He looks well off the pace and lightweight.
Let’s hope he adjusts.
Very good observation, totally on point.
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He looks well off the pace and lightweight.
Let’s hope he adjusts.
Very good observation, totally on point.
Post of the week.
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Too early to judge
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Too early to judge
Yup. Games this season are all useful for experience/embedding and then he can really start to contribute next season.
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Maybe expecations are a bit high? £15.5million for a French player in his mid-twenties suggests we bought a squad player. We need those too.
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He needs time to adjust to this intense League. No pre-season withus at all. Still early days. Time to judge will be next season.
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Maybe expecations are a bit high? £15.5million for a French player in his mid-twenties suggests we bought a squad player. We need those too.
Don't forget this is around half the price it should have been if not for the French League problems.
Once he adjusts to the speed of this league I believe he will be a good addition.
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I've seen enough from him to know he's got the ability to play - comfortably - in the Premier League. Yes, he's looked a bit off the pace at times, but that all feels to me like getting up to speed, especially considering he seems the sort of player who often moves WITH the ball in midfield, rather than just moving the ball itself.
I'm not sure he's going to become an automatic first-choice, a la Jack, Ollie, Ezri and Emi, but I'm very confident he'll be better next season and our squad will be stronger as a result.
Add in a top-quality CM marquee -igning over the summer and we'll have very healthy competition in that position. I thought that signing was going to be Barkley, but it's not worked out that way.
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I've seen enough from him to know he's got the ability to play - comfortably - in the Premier League. Yes, he's looked a bit off the pace at times, but that all feels to me like getting up to speed, especially considering he seems the sort of player who often moves WITH the ball in midfield, rather than just moving the ball itself.
I'm not sure he's going to become an automatic first-choice, a la Jack, Ollie, Ezri and Emi, but I'm very confident he'll be better next season and our squad will be stronger as a result.
Add in a top-quality CM marquee -igning over the summer and we'll have very healthy competition in that position. I thought that signing was going to be Barkley, but it's not worked out that way.
Smith said something yesterday about Barkley still getting back to full fitness. We've played more than half a season since he came back from his hamstring injury.
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Agree with that, he's tidy, in a new country, in a pandemic and plying his trade in the toughest league in the world.
I'm hopeful and think it was a bargain price.
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I think Sanson has shown he can run and pass the ball well, he just isn't up to intensity/pace of the league yet. He did admit as much in a French newspaper article a few weeks back i seem to recall someone quoting?
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Yes, he said he was surprised at the intensity of training and the amount of work you have to put in. He thought they worked hard at OM but is finding the PL to be on another level.
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Thanks BE, knew i hadn't imagined it.
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Like a few others, I'd assumed he was a signing for next season. He's looked decent enough from what I've seen if him to think that, given a full preseason plus 6 months of getting used to the pace, he'll be a bit of a bargain.
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Thought he looked better yesterday. Few speedy bursts with the ball which showed what he could do next season.
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I like him, never scared to receive the ball and is always looking up and seeing what's around him. He gets caught out sometimes because he's not used to how quickly the space disappears but I've seen enough to suggest he's learning and will be a good part of the squad next year.
I'd still like to see someone a bit more physical in there though to be a bit o an enforcer when the likes of Sanson are being bullied.
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I like him, never scared to receive the ball and is always looking up and seeing what's around him. He gets caught out sometimes because he's not used to how quickly the space disappears but I've seen enough to suggest he's learning and will be a good part of the squad next year.
I'd still like to see someone a bit more physical in there though to be a bit o an enforcer when the likes of Sanson are being bullied.
Yeah, we need a Jedinak that can play.
I like the lad Bissouma at Brighton.
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I like him, never scared to receive the ball and is always looking up and seeing what's around him. He gets caught out sometimes because he's not used to how quickly the space disappears but I've seen enough to suggest he's learning and will be a good part of the squad next year.
I'd still like to see someone a bit more physical in there though to be a bit o an enforcer when the likes of Sanson are being bullied.
Yeah, we need a Jedinak that can play.
I like the lad Bissouma at Brighton.
Yes he does stand out , but don’t we have a lad in the under 23s who is near the first team ? Chukwuemeka?
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I like him, never scared to receive the ball and is always looking up and seeing what's around him. He gets caught out sometimes because he's not used to how quickly the space disappears but I've seen enough to suggest he's learning and will be a good part of the squad next year.
I'd still like to see someone a bit more physical in there though to be a bit o an enforcer when the likes of Sanson are being bullied.
Yeah, we need a Jedinak that can play.
I like the lad Bissouma at Brighton.
Yes he does stand out , but don’t we have a lad in the under 23s who is near the first team ? Chukwuemeka?
He needs a couple of seasons to get there, a year out on loan to the championship and then a season as an understudy getting minutes off the bench, he's only just turned 18 so it'd be a big step up for him to come in and do that job. I do think he's going to be a top player though.
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Yes, he really is!
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...he's only just turned 18 so it'd be a big step up for him to come in and do that job. I do think he's going to be a top player though.
Bellingham is how old?
You're probably right about Chuk's development path, but age is not the determinant.
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Think Kessler and Chukweumeka will be involved as they sound ready. Loan a couple more out.
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...he's only just turned 18 so it'd be a big step up for him to come in and do that job. I do think he's going to be a top player though.
Bellingham is how old?
You're probably right about Chuk's development path, but age is not the determinant.
17
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I wouldn't compare every 17/18 year old with Bellingham. Players develop at different rates, both mentally and physically. Bellingham is a rare one that looks ready at 17
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I wouldn't compare every 17/18 year old with Bellingham. Players develop at different rates, both mentally and physically. Bellingham is a rare one that looks ready at 17
Yes that's right, Gareth Barry and Wayne Rooney were the same. Some young lads that age look good against against other kids, but it's rare that you can take one out and plonk them in straight in the full team.
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One thing is certain. If they dont get a chance we will never know.
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The Noses didn’t really have much of a choice with Bellingham. He was a standout player and at that level he was good enough to be introduced. I don’t know for sure had he been at a PL club he would have got the chance because clubs are a lot more cautious in blooding younger players. Also the stakes are so much higher in terms of results and impact on young players that there is a greater hesitancy in doing that. But he’s clearly a top player in the making. Every fan at every club wants to see their top younger academy talent emerge that way.
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+ 1 for Bissouma. He'll have plenty of suitors though.
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...he's only just turned 18 so it'd be a big step up for him to come in and do that job. I do think he's going to be a top player though.
Bellingham is how old?
You're probably right about Chuk's development path, but age is not the determinant.
17
Yes, my question was rhetorical.
Age is not a key determinant; was my point.
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Bellingham and Rooney were physically developed well beyond their years. It doesn't strike me that Chukweumeka is, so I think he'll probably remain a slow burner.
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My point wasn't so much that he was too young but more that we don't need to force it, he's got 2-3 years to slowly break through and have a 'normal' career.
Take Phil Foden for example, he's been touted as one of the best young players in the country for a few years but it's really in the last 12 months that he's nailed down a regular spot in the team and he turns 21 next month.
I'd like to see our kids given that same time to slowly integrate into the squad and develop into playing regularly. The next stage is to get them some senior appearances, either as cameos from the bench with us or out on loan. What gives me hope is that how we're handling Jacob Ramsey is exactly how I want to see players come through.
Bellingham has done well and looks a fantastic prospect but you can't avoid the fact that the main reason he came through when he did was that the first team at Blues are fucking shit so it wasn't much of a gamble to throw him in. We're looking to break into the top 6 in the hardest league in the world next season, that's a very different environment to bring young players into.
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Against that is the fact that any youngster playing for us during the rest of the season can do so knowing that any mistake he might make won't potentially cost us £100 million.
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Against that is the fact that any youngster playing for us during the rest of the season can do so knowing that any mistake he might make won't potentially cost us £100 million.
Absolutely, I think now is the right time to give a few of these lads a game or 2 I just think expecting Chukwuemeka to play 25-30 games in the first team next season would be rushing him along when we don't need to. If he's good enough that he earns that many appearances then fantastic but I don't think we should be expecting that.
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One player I would be introducing right now is Kesler Hayden over Elmo. Love Elmo but he will be gone in the summer.
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One player I would be introducing right now is Kesler Hayden over Elmo. Love Elmo but he will be gone in the summer.
I agree, I don't see any reason to have Elmo in the match day squad for the rest of the season unless Cash gets injured. I'd be tempted to give Philogene-Bidace and Chukwuemeka time on the bench ahead of Barkley and AEG for a few games as well. Maybe even Chrisene ahead of Taylor a couple of times.
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Agree with all of those, if the time is right.
What about Aaron Ramsey?
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Agree with all of those, if the time is right.
What about Aaron Ramsey?
only 17 at the moment
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One player I would be introducing right now is Kesler Hayden over Elmo. Love Elmo but he will be gone in the summer.
I agree, I don't see any reason to have Elmo in the match day squad for the rest of the season unless Cash gets injured. I'd be tempted to give Philogene-Bidace and Chukwuemeka time on the bench ahead of Barkley and AEG for a few games as well. Maybe even Chrisene ahead of Taylor a couple of times.
From a football development perspective, I absolutely agree. Though in terms of game management, Elmo is a seasoned pro that does not us down.
We might be 2-1 up at Anfield tomorrow and Cash gets injured with 15 minutes left. I think Kesler is a fantastic prospect, but I would be happier to see Elmo replace Cash in those circumstances to secure another rare win versus Red Scouse.