Gabby

[pedro25]

I don't really agree that Gabby has a knack of finding space in the box.  True he can get himself in there pretty quickly when he wants to but how often does he cleverly hold back for the pull back from a winger, or sniff out a rebound at the back post.  He's not exactly like Owen in terms of being in the right place at the right time.  This should improve with age, a few more scruffy goals and he should be up around 20 in all comps.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I don't really agree that Gabby has a knack of finding space in the box.

You obviously missed his goal last season at the Sty.

[Dave Cooper please]

I don't really agree that Gabby has a knack of finding space in the box.

You obviously missed his goal last season at the Sty.

Managing to be in the right place every now and again isn't the same as having "a knack" of being in the right place.

[Chris Smith]

I don't really agree that Gabby has a knack of finding space in the box.

You obviously missed his goal last season at the Sty.

Managing to be in the right place every now and again isn't the same as having "a knack" of being in the right place.

I said "he has a knack of finding space in the box" not "being in the right place" and I stand by it. However, when you're playing against PL defences that moment is fleeting and if he's not found immediately the opportunity is gone. A second striker who appreciates that aspect of the game would, in my opinion, benefit him enormously.

[pedro25]

You seem to be suggesting our midfielders don't pick him out when he's made space, but my biggest gripe in home matches in the seconfd half of the season was the lack of movement from JC and Gabby, whenever a midfielder on the ball looked up the movement from the front too was not what I'd expect from a Champs league chasing team.

[Concrete John]

You seem to be suggesting our midfielders don't pick him out when he's made space, but my biggest gripe in home matches in the seconfd half of the season was the lack of movement from JC and Gabby, whenever a midfielder on the ball looked up the movement from the front too was not what I'd expect from a Champs league chasing team.

I fully agree.

Everytime I see the call for a creative midfielder, I agree with it, but think it's secondary to haveing a striker with better movement.

[PaulTheVillan]

You seem to be suggesting our midfielders don't pick him out when he's made space, but my biggest gripe in home matches in the seconfd half of the season was the lack of movement from JC and Gabby, whenever a midfielder on the ball looked up the movement from the front too was not what I'd expect from a Champs league chasing team.

I fully agree.

Everytime I see the call for a creative midfielder, I agree with it, but think it's secondary to haveing a striker with better movement.

Everton at home was the worst.

It's like we only think we can score from getting the ball out wide and crossing it in.

[peter w]

I think that he is probably the best that we have in getting front of defewnders and getting his head on the ball. he has a good understanding with Ash and the goal he scored at Old Trafford was similar to many goals he has got from the same supplier.

But we don't see that enough.

[citizenDJ]

I'm of the belief that a better quality midfielder or strike partner will bring out the best in Agbonlahor. We're lucky to have him, he's very good and scores a fair amount of goals without really getting the best service in the world. He's also good enough to play up front by himself, as a target man. There's not many who can do that AND have the pace that he does.

What has bothered me for ages though is that we don't use his pace that often - or at least in a most effective way.
Balls played along the ground, into space for Gabby to run onto, would see his goal tally increase fairly significantly, I believe. A couple of times we've seen Downing provide those killer 'slide-rule' passes, but we don't see them often.

Someone like Robbie Keane might just be able to provide more of them, or a midfielder like Steven Ireland.

None-the-less, I think Agbonlahor is a good player, getting better, and definitely worth keeping hold of.

[barrysleftfoot]

Yes  think pedro is right, he reacts, rather than anticipates, his pace can get him there, but to be fair, his movement in the box is a lot better than 2 seasons ago.

  What i said earlier, and the thing i like more than anything about Gabby is that hes always willing to work on his weaknesses'.

[ozzjim]

Yes  think pedro is right, he reacts, rather than anticipates, his pace can get him there, but to be fair, his movement in the box is a lot better than 2 seasons ago.

  What i said earlier, and the thing i like more than anything about Gabby is that hes always willing to work on his weaknesses'.

Gabby has the movement of a 3rd division striker at best. He stands, arms out behind the centre half time and time and time again. Whenever he can has the thought process to try and move in front of his man he does get the service and does get goals, he just does it too infrequently. His pace and increased ability to hold up the ball etc gets him leway, but he is woefully un natural in his movement. Downing and Young must often pull their hair out, as where you put the ball for him when he hardly moves is a bit of an issue.

To make top 4 we need someone alongside him who is top quality and scores more goals. Gabby can do the big man role better than he can the finisher role.

[sfx412]

Some of the goals he's scored this season shows he anticipates well enough when the cross is right.

Still sell him what do Villa need with exciting young strikers we are far better off with twats like Carew and Heskey.

Or do some still think the Fonz is the finished article ?

We have trouble hanging on to decent players as it is.

[ozzjim]

I did not say I would sell him, just that he is rubbish at manoeuvring a defender to create space in the box. Get a fox in the box alongside him and we would be stronger.

[KevinGage]

Yes  think pedro is right, he reacts, rather than anticipates, his pace can get him there, but to be fair, his movement in the box is a lot better than 2 seasons ago.

  What i said earlier, and the thing i like more than anything about Gabby is that hes always willing to work on his weaknesses'.

Gabby has the movement of a 3rd division striker at best. He stands, arms out behind the centre half time and time and time again. Whenever he can has the thought process to try and move in front of his man he does get the service and does get goals, he just does it too infrequently. His pace and increased ability to hold up the ball etc gets him leway, but he is woefully un natural in his movement. Downing and Young must often pull their hair out, as where you put the ball for him when he hardly moves is a bit of an issue.

To make top 4 we need someone alongside him who is top quality and scores more goals. Gabby can do the big man role better than he can the finisher role.

One of the benefits of signing a player like Robbie Keane (if we do go that way) is he is very vocal and will get his point across in no uncertain terms if Gabby is making the wrong run. Or no run at all.

JC is largely in his own world most of the time and Heskey just wouldn't have the brass neck to tell other forwards where they're going wrong.

[TheSandman]

Yes  think pedro is right, he reacts, rather than anticipates, his pace can get him there, but to be fair, his movement in the box is a lot better than 2 seasons ago.

  What i said earlier, and the thing i like more than anything about Gabby is that hes always willing to work on his weaknesses'.

Gabby has the movement of a 3rd division striker at best. He stands, arms out behind the centre half time and time and time again. Whenever he can has the thought process to try and move in front of his man he does get the service and does get goals, he just does it too infrequently. His pace and increased ability to hold up the ball etc gets him leway, but he is woefully un natural in his movement. Downing and Young must often pull their hair out, as where you put the ball for him when he hardly moves is a bit of an issue.

To make top 4 we need someone alongside him who is top quality and scores more goals. Gabby can do the big man role better than he can the finisher role.

One of the benefits of signing a player like Robbie Keane (if we do go that way) is he is very vocal and will get his point across in no uncertain terms if Gabby is making the wrong run. Or no run at all.

JC is largely in his own world most of the time and Heskey just wouldn't have the brass neck to tell other forwards where they're going wrong.

I see your point there but it would save a £10million transfer fee and £3million a year in wages if a coach or a manager would just tell him that in no uncertain terms. Surely a player can be coached to anticipate?