Ashley Young - tell it how you see it

[J]

Having been at the game today, I have to say ash played well and was at the heart of most of our offensive play, didn't look too bad a pen from where I was, more a good save than a miss.
Still think he's best as an out and out winger

I have to disagree Wiki, it was possibly the worst penalty I've ever seen.  The reason is that Jaaskeleinen stood to one side, offering Ash a full two thirds of the goal to aim at.  It was a bit of psychology and most players with any brains would have said okay 2/3 of the goal to aim at, just fucking blast it anywhere in that 1/3 nearest the post and no keeper in the world is quick enough to get that far across that quickly.  And having two thirds to aim at gives you a big margin for error.  That's what  Barry or Milner or Carew would have done I reckon.   What does Billy big bollocks do? Knowing there is only one way the keeper is going to dive? ? He places it, softly, about half way between the post and the centre of the goal, at exactly the spot that gives the keeper every chance of reaching it.  Mindnumbingly dumb.

Jaaskeleinen was standing in the centre of his goal well before the penalty was actually taken, he didn't place it softly, and as for the worst penalty you've ever seen; have you never seen a penalty go wide or over?

[hawkeye]

He has been excellent the last couple of games except when taking a dead ball situation, in fact he has been useless at that for a long time. He will be gone in the summer if that I have no doubt.

[SoccerHQ]

he always puts his penalties in the same bleeding place so it was inevitable as soon as a keeper dived the same way, he'd saved it.

Seeing as Jussi was playing mind games, he should've just done what Zamora did and hit it straight down the middle.

I knew as soon as he missed it, we'd crumble and lose.

[oldtimernow]

sorry I thought that before he took it....knew he would miss it so went for a pee...and surprise surprise...just as I knew we would concede in the last minutes of first and second halves.

Never thought of me as a know-it-all.....at all

[ktvillan]

Jaaskeleinen was standing in the centre of his goal well before the penalty was actually taken, he didn't place it softly, and as for the worst penalty you've ever seen; have you never seen a penalty go wide or over?

Not on my TV he wasn't, he was clearly to the right of centre from Ash's viewpoint.  I think the commentator even mentioned something about him being a long way off  centre.   Unless he centred himself at the last second.    Yes I've seen them miss the target, but for me that's a case of shit happens and nothing to do with the the player in question not using his brains. 

[VillaZogmariner]

If Spurs were to offer a straight swap for Walker/Young I'd snap their hands off.

Now that, I'm afraid, is utter tosh.  Young for Walker!  Seriously?

Yes seriously - Young will have 1 season left at the end of the year, so as such I can't see us getting much more than £15m for him at best.

Harry will also know that we want a Right Back/Walker - so he will hold the cards in that regard.

So if the swap was offered I'd take it.

[garyfouroaks]

I rate Ashley Young as  a very good player. I offer you two independent insights.

I enjoyed a dinner with a football professional who has been involved with AY since he joined Watford.His view was that AY's lack of intelligence and inadequate  footballing ambition and desire meant that he was destined to fall short at the highest level IInternationals/ CL).

I know a much capped ex England international who has spent time with AY, Milner and Barry on a number of occasions. He told me that, Barry and Milner in particular fired volleys of questions at him seeking to learn from his experiences (Milner had an encyclopedic knowledge of International football, teams, players and tactics from the 60's onwards). Young just put his headphones on.

Just maybe, we have seen the best of Ashley Young, maybe it doesnt get better, and a lucrative contract with Spurs will be his destiny.

I am not saying get rid, nor am I saying that he is doomed to fail elsewhere. I am saying that there is a case, for shaking hands, thanking him and wishing him all the best, and making a modest profit on the original transfer fee.

[fredm]

Jaaskeleinen was standing in the centre of his goal well before the penalty was actually taken, he didn't place it softly, and as for the worst penalty you've ever seen; have you never seen a penalty go wide or over?

Not on my TV he wasn't, he was clearly to the right of centre from Ash's viewpoint.  I think the commentator even mentioned something about him being a long way off  centre.   Unless he centred himself at the last second.    Yes I've seen them miss the target, but for me that's a case of shit happens and nothing to do with the the player in question not using his brains. 

As Ash commenced his run up Jussi swiftly moved to the centre of the goal which also meant that his body momentum was going that way as he flung himself to his right to make the save.  If the shot had gone to his left he would not have had a cats chance in hell of saving it.

[MoetVillan]

Gary, i think there are valid points there.  That said if we are comparing intellect and footballing skill, consider Ashley Cole.  The man is a clown off the pitch, yet the best left back in the world on the pitch.  Im undecided on how I feel on him.  On his pomp, he is unplayable, and a joy to watch in a claret and blue top.  He has the potential to be a god.  He has pace and intelligence.  A lot of his detractors bemoan him bitching at the ref, his easy going down, and his wanting to take every free kick.  All of those things are petulance, but also desire to be involved, desire to win.  Even when he is off form, he wants to at least make things happen.  My undecided part is down to what he wants to do.  If he seriously thinks that we are holding him back, or he deserves to play in the Champions league, and doesnt see himself being a key point to getting Villa to that level, then Im not sure I want him, and would rather take the wages and money to find someone who does.  He has a big decision to make for himself.  I hope he makes the right one IMO and sticks with us.  Milner and Barry are not ringing endorsements for going on and bettering themselves, they have not had great seasons, and may still be out of the Champions league next time, with Arse, Chelski and United for me the top three teams, City are on poorer form than Spuds, though I hate to say it.   

[ktvillan]

Garyfouroaks I was trying to guess who much capped ex-England international might be - possibly Sid but he was hardly much capped, so I'm thinking possibly Stuart Pearce or David Platt from their involvement with the under 21s.  In any case it's hard to argue with the synopsis - Milner's demeanour indicates that he is someone who wants to exploit every last ounce of his talent, whereas Ash doesn't strike me as the most dedicated of preofessionals and one who maybe thinks he's already made it and is happy to cruise along.  If you could combine Milner's attitude with Ash's natural ability you would have a world class player.

[Dave]

I rate Ashley Young as  a very good player. I offer you two independent insights.

I enjoyed a dinner with a football professional who has been involved with AY since he joined Watford.His view was that AY's lack of intelligence and inadequate  footballing ambition and desire meant that he was destined to fall short at the highest level IInternationals/ CL).

I know a much capped ex England international who has spent time with AY, Milner and Barry on a number of occasions. He told me that, Barry and Milner in particular fired volleys of questions at him seeking to learn from his experiences (Milner had an encyclopedic knowledge of International football, teams, players and tactics from the 60's onwards). Young just put his headphones on.

Interesting stuff and very believable.

[VWBelgian]

I would easily change Milner with Ash..

[damon loves JT]

Ash is a ringer for Marlow in series 3 of 'The Wire'

[eastie]

Vs, I think spurs valuation of walker If they did sell him would be very similar to ash s valuation- with 1 yr left on his contract we will be looking £12m to £15m max, and walker would be around maybe £10 m knowing spurs., may be worth trying to get walker plus £5m and see what they say?

If ash had a long contract we would be looking £20m-£25m, but that is not the case now.

[Risso]

I rate Ashley Young as  a very good player. I offer you two independent insights.

I enjoyed a dinner with a football professional who has been involved with AY since he joined Watford.His view was that AY's lack of intelligence and inadequate  footballing ambition and desire meant that he was destined to fall short at the highest level IInternationals/ CL).

I know a much capped ex England international who has spent time with AY, Milner and Barry on a number of occasions. He told me that, Barry and Milner in particular fired volleys of questions at him seeking to learn from his experiences (Milner had an encyclopedic knowledge of International football, teams, players and tactics from the 60's onwards). Young just put his headphones on.

Interesting stuff and very believable.

Believable maybe, but so what?  Barry and Milner both strike me as of above average intelligence for footballers, whereas Ashley Young is probably more your stereotypical thickie.  But so what?  Some of the best footballers in the league are as thick as pigshit and twice as arrogant.  I can't imagine Ashley Cole or Wayne Rooney behaving any differently to Young for example.

I'd rather keep Young than have Milner or Barry back, personally.