Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[JJ-AV]

I will be outraged if Gabby departs.

[tarzansbrother]

I will be outraged if Gabby departs.

Why? Like many of our players did little last season. Didn't Heskey score more than him last season? Would keep him but only as cover for Bent.

[Mazrim]

The most technically gifted striker we have is Delfouneso by a million miles. So I could understand notions of partnering him with Bent.
If Delfouneso develops as he should it would be a mouth watering prospect, those two.

However, Gabby and Bent, whilst I understand concerns they wont work together, if somehow the key to unlocking that partnership is found it could be something very special.
I disagree with the notion that Gabby has no technical ability. Its not his game but he hardly ever gives the ball away and his passing is pretty good.
But his movement does let him down at times. Its something that can be worked on though, I'm sure.
If I was coaching him I'd be focusing on thinking ahead of the game until he had it down to a fine art. Because with his power and pace he would be unstoppable. If he could read the game that .3 secs quicker it would make all the difference.
He also needs to want to learn.

[JJ-AV]

I will be outraged if Gabby departs.

Why? Like many of our players did little last season. Didn't Heskey score more than him last season? Would keep him but only as cover for Bent.

Out of our first team strikers over the past couple of years (Bent, Carew, Gabby and Heskey) he earns the least. He cost us nothing so we don't need to sell to recoup outlay, he's played in 4 different positions over four different seasons and never complained despite it harming his international chances.

He was asked to bulk up, then lose it again. He's played through injury under MON so many bloody times. He fucked the u21's off for us, the lads Villa through and through. The kids love him, he sells a shedload of shorts, his goal record is very good...

Pushing him out would make no sense.

[JJ-AV]

I've always maintained I feel Gabby's best position would be as an inside forward on the left in a real 4-3-3 formation, like where Houllier was attempting to play him.

We just don't have enough players who can feed him and he tends to drift infield alot. When he was upfront alone in 2008/09 he got so many assists and goals from that left hand side.

4-3-3. Marc (or Downing if he's here) wide right offering with, Gabby left getting inbetween the fullback and centre half. Ireland on the left of the midfield three exploiting the space Gabby creates.

[curiousorange]

I think long-term memory loss coupled with a season played out of position has damned Gabby in a lot of people's eyes. He's missed one-on-ones (as has the sainted Bent, notably against Wigan at home) and seemed one-dimensional, but name a striker who hasn't? Besides which, any cursory look at the past four seasons' highlights DVDs shows a touch that would be lauded in a less-maligned player, including sublime touches to bring the ball out of the air. He's more than capable and I'd be very pissed off if he left.

[KevinGage]

Can you teach it though Maz? (not you personally).

Finding space in the box, or ghosting into areas to receive the ball is a gift, I think. You can work to time your runs a bit better, to beat the offside trap and so on. But anticipation as to where the ball will drop is a different matter altogether.

You need a picture in your head as to how the play will develop, almost intuition. Bent has his limitations, and I'd say in all honesty his finishing is pretty hit and miss. Probably not as sharp as someone like Defoe, for example.  But he does at least possess that talent to nick half a yard, find the gap and anticipate where the ball will drop -  and he'll always weigh in with his fair share of goals because of it.

[Ian.]

Why the talk about Gabby leaving?

I'm with you JJ. Good player, when played to his strengths he is a very good player. What I like best is he works bloody hard for us, he loves the Villa, he's one of us.
I don't think he warrants some of the criticism he tends to get.

[Mazrim]

Can you teach it though Maz?

I don't know *chews gum*.

What are the hours?

[boboonthecorner]

Do you reckon now Downing is finally going to Liverpool we have someone lined up!?! Knowing Villa  I doubt it...

[Matt Collins]

At least downing will go before n'zogbia goes elsewhere

[Salsa Party Animal]

could a 3 men attack with Gaby, Darren and Nathan work well together with Nathan playing as link man.

[ozzjim]

Gabby, NZogbia and Bent, with Makoun, Delph and Petrov behind anchoring it, and then a solid back 4. Would do ok I think.

[BedsVillain]

Gabby, NZogbia and Bent, with Makoun, Delph and Petrov behind anchoring it, and then a solid back 4. Would do ok I think.

I keep imaging that working Ozz, although i would like another specialist DM bought in ideally, to play behind Makoun & Delph, giving them both licence to support the front three.

[villadom]

Relegation beckons.