Petrov - ups and downs (and backwards !)

[FatSam]

Thought he was very good against Man City, intelligent use of the ball, retained possession well, and drew fouls to take the pressure off. One of the few players we have had in recent years able to do this unspectacular but important work.

[Eigentor]

Petrov is useful when we are in front, like against Man City. Then he can play his game, keep possession, pass the ball to the closest team-mate or trip over and win free kicks.

However, when we are throwing men forward in search of a goal, and the other team is counter-attacking, he is a liability, simply because he is so unbelivably slow that not any amount of good positioning and tactical sense can make up for it. That was the situation against Man Utd, and GH was right to sub him.

His comments about Petrov shaking his head when subbed was, I think, more of a warning from GH than a hint that he will be shipped out a la Carew and Ireland.

[Fernando Partridge]

What apt title thread as stan is such a mixture!

My observation of petrov is thus:

Stan likes to play safe and often plays backwards too .. so frustrating!

Not forward thinking enuff.

He has a distinct lack of off ball movement.

Being in space after passing or to receive a pass. not great.

Movement and forrays in to the fina third. negligible

Yes he is club captain and experienced and being respected by the villa players must be kept in and around team during transistional phase.

Yes Petrov is  very skillful & technically sound on the ball(seen him flick the ball over players and nutmeg people with ease)

Being assured in his abilities on the ball he can insist on running the ball out of our own penalty area though !

Shooting however is either weak or wayward. Apart from the ah mazing world class finish against derby!!

In central midfield he seems to win alot of fouls as he never truly breaks free from a oppostion player and gets dragged down or falls over (sometimes embrassingly). kinda similar to some of his attempted tackles

So for villa to move on he needs to be slowly phased out. I think this is what gh is trying to do. maybe come the summer captain stan will look for pastures new .

IMHO he would be a master in MLS.

[curiousorange]

If the man could trap a ball effectively he would buy himself that half second his pace probably dictates he needs these days. But he can't, and he's not doing the job we need him to do, so it should be bye-bye Mr Petrov.

[TimTheVillain]

If the man could trap a ball effectively he would buy himself that half second his pace probably dictates he needs these days. But he can't, and he's not doing the job we need him to do, so it should be bye-bye Mr Petrov.

Agree, it takes him ages to get control of the ball.

Highly gifted a player that he is, we need more from a MF player now.

Can't wait for Delph to return.

[Ad@m]

Thought he was very good against Man City, intelligent use of the ball, retained possession well, and drew fouls to take the pressure off. One of the few players we have had in recent years able to do this unspectacular but important work.

I must've been watching a different game!

He looked like a pub player - I've never seen a Villa player so far off the pace of the game. Some of his desperate tackles were embarrassing and I think GH subbed him out of sympathy!

Today was almost as bad. Again, desperately slow, on and off the ball.

He's been a good servant to the club despite his slow start. Indeed, for one season he was the best player at the club but his time has passed and he needs to make way for the kids, especially now Makoun is in place to provide some steel in the middle of the park.

[Blackcountry Villa]

He's fucking woeful. Houllier has signed some decent players but i'd still have a clearout in the summer, Friedel, Young, Gabby, Petrov, there must be better out there because they're all poor imo.

[Shrek]

I'd put Petrov with Warnock and Beye, he was shit today and was at fault for their equaliser because he is too slow.

[eastie]

Petrov is ok to bring on with 20 minutes left if protecting a lead , but he can't last a full game and surely Bradley must replace him next week.

[The Left Side]

His legs looked like they had gone today, Makoun needed someone creative (bannan) next to me to get the service up to the front. I like Stan but we need to move him on now.

[UK Redsox]

Petrov really looked like he'd lost it today. He's starting to make Gareth Barry look pacy

[Richard C]

He's probably waiting for MON to rock up somewhere.

Gibraltar would be fine with me.

[VillaAlways]

GH on Petrovs future.Wonder if he'll be happy being a bit part player ?

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/02/21/aston-villa-gerard-houllier-reveals-future-for-stiliyan-petrov-as-aston-villa-97319-28204674/http://

[The Left Side]

GH on Petrovs future.Wonder if he'll be happy being a bit part player ?

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/02/21/aston-villa-gerard-houllier-reveals-future-for-stiliyan-petrov-as-aston-villa-97319-28204674/http://

I think stan won't be happy with a spot on the bench, he'll be off in the summer!

[Dave]

GH on Petrovs future.Wonder if he'll be happy being a bit part player ?

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/02/21/aston-villa-gerard-houllier-reveals-future-for-stiliyan-petrov-as-aston-villa-97319-28204674/http://

I think stan won't be happy with a spot on the bench, he'll be off in the summer!

I think he's unlikely to be paid as much as we're paying him if he were to move.

And he'll be happy to be club captain and play a couple of dozen games next season.