Ashley Young: Staying or going?

[Yeltzer]

he really is a frustrating player to watch...

"infuriating" is the word i'd use!

[Shrek]

Great point of view.

I think we will see what kind of manager Gerrard is when everyone is fit and he actually has choices to make on team selection.

[pedro25]

How many did Merson, Bergkamp and Zola score from that role on average per season, probably less than many people think.  He has 9 for each of the last 2 seasons out wide and 4 so far this term, so say he's on for about 11 this season, which wouldn't be bad.  How many goals have we had from central midfield this season, Milner, Hogg, Herd, Bannan, Sidwell, NRC, Petrov, Clark have a combined total of what 3?  He had another cap and assist for England last week too, so I don't think he's doing too bad really.  But with the emergence of Albrighton, return to form of Downing and Pires' arrival we might be able to rest Ash for some games now, or drop him if he's off form, which we've never really had the luxury of being able to do before because everything went through him.  Even more reason to do so if Ireland was playing how we'd expected him too.

[Chris Smith]

To be fair v Blackpool his cross for Fonz's disallowed effort and through ball for Fonz's goal were fantastic but go pretty much unnoticed because we expect so much from him in each game.  He scored 1 and set up 1 v Man U as well, so even though he's not in great form and makes the wrong decisions too frequently he's still very important for us and is involved in the best of what we do.

He scored a penalty and Downing provided the cross for Albrighton's goal. He wasn't even man of the match.

He was fouled for the penalty and he carried the ball and put Downing through for the cross for the second. he also hit the bar and had a shot well saved yesterday.

He's still our best player by some distance and anyone wanting to sell him needs locking up for their own protection as they're clearly not playing with a full deck.

[cheltenhamlion]

As rare as this might be, I agree with Chris.

[Yeltzer]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of whether he supported spuds or the arse as a nipper?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of whether he supported spuds or the arse as a nipper?

I think he's spuds but its irrelevant as he will sign a new deal when the quality signings come onto the scene such as benzema

[pedro25]

What about our other forwards?  Ireland, Carew, Heskey, Gabby, Fonz and Weiman have 6 goals combined this season so I'd still say Ash with 4 is doing ok and is still our most productive player.  Albrighton and Downing are also playing their part this season, as is Bannan, we just desperately need 2 or 3 others like Gabby, Carew, Ireland, Sidwell, Dunne, Warnock etc. to up their game to give us a chance.  If they do I dont see Ash getting much more of a hard time.

[pedro25]

Fonz as well.

[Mazrim]

I agree with Chris. He has his faults and sometimes he drives you crazy but wanting rid of Young at this stage is nothing short of madness.

[Yeltzer]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of whether he supported spuds or the arse as a nipper?

I think he's spuds but its irrelevant as he will sign a new deal when the quality signings come onto the scene such as benzema

i admire your optimism!!

[Shrek]

What about our other forwards?  Ireland, Carew, Heskey, Gabby, Fonz and Weiman have 6 goals combined this season so I'd still say Ash with 4 is doing ok and is still our most productive player.  Albrighton and Downing are also playing their part this season, as is Bannan, we just desperately need 2 or 3 others like Gabby, Carew, Ireland, Sidwell, Dunne, Warnock etc. to up their game to give us a chance.  If they do I dont see Ash getting much more of a hard time.

Ash has played every game and has the same amount of goals as heskey, everyone one else has hardly played, so not a fair comparison.

The League is most important and Ash hasn't scored from open play in the League.

I personally think this would be irrelevant if our other strikers were scoring, because he is playing really well, but since Heskey has been out the goals have dried up.

I think Ash has got a bit of an Attitude and is abit greedy at times but his energy and workrate is really important to the team.
Hopefully he will sign a new deal and just relax abit then the goals will come.

[pedro25]

League is most important to Chelsea, Man U etc maybe, but surely not to us, we have no chance of winning it or even really finishing top 4, yet we have every chance of winning one of the cups.

[KevinGage]

Did anyone ever get to the bottom of whether he supported spuds or the arse as a nipper?

I think he's spuds but its irrelevant as he will sign a new deal when the quality signings come onto the scene such as benzema

Arsenal fan

Check out the natty hairstyle too.

"You always want to test yourself at the next level.

"It is every player's dream to play in the Premiership. It is the main league in Europe - in the world even."

That ambition is now within Young's grasp, but as a teenager he almost missed out on a professional career altogether.

He explained: "Ian Wright was my hero as a boy and I still watch his videos today. I am an Arsenal fan and I always followed them.

"From the age of four I did not stop kicking a ball around, it was all I wanted to do when I was growing up.

"But when I left school I missed out on a YTS with Watford. I was not the biggest player - and I am still not.

"I got another crack at it though and I thought I have got to use the things I have got - my brain and quick feet. I worked hard and it paid off - Watford offered me a professional contract."

[hawkeye]

I think he is going to Chelsea