The Gabby Appreciation Thread - Update: 4 year deal

[SoccerHQ]

I thought under MON he would develop into a 20 goal a season striker, I thought in MON's system and the potential he still had (he was only 23 when MON left) it was a distinct possibility.

So the last few years had been a disappointment although he came on really strong from Feb onwards last season which was a reminder of better times.

Still he's a 1 in 3 man which isn't that bad coming from a wide position. Many many strikers playing in the prem and centrally don't even that as a ratio.

I wonder how close he'll come to break Charlie Aitken's appearance record as it's a possibility he could be a regular for the next 5-6 years as he's only 27. He'll certainly surpass Barry's appearance from the modern day players.

He's been nowhere near a one in 3 man since he's moved wider, try one in 5 and you're closer to the truth, which is poor really.

He was pretty much 1 in 3 last season under Lambert, 9 league goals in 28 games I think (and he didn't start all of those).

One way Gabby might become a legend is appearance record, he's not far off 300 games for us so interested where he stands in our all time list, I doubt he's going to chase down Aitken's record but decent chance he could be in the top 10 if he doesn't get any serious injuries.

[Fuse]

Our most important player without question for me.

[Steve kirk]

I have always loved seeing the way Gabby celebrates with the players and fans when goals are scored by him and others, also the joy he shows at full time when we have won, it is written across his face how much it means to him.

[paul_e]

Mortimer has 405 appearances in 10th according to the page on wikipedia.  I think Gabby is over 300 in all competitions so around 100 to go, 2-3 seasons and he'll push into that.  If he sticks to his 10-12 a season (including cups) scoring record for those 2-3 seasons he'd have over 100 goals for us as well which would have to put him near the top 10 in that chart as well I'd think and he'd still be in his 20s.

just had a check, looks like 305 appearances and 77 goals, so pretty much 1 in 4 as I thought.

It's pretty hard to argue that, if he manages to make the top 10 in both those lists, he doesn't deserve to be regarded as a club legend.

On more recent events, I work with a couple of Liverpool fans (there's fecking loads of them in Bergen) and everyone of them admitted that they thought they were fucked and gabby was the key reason for it.  I don't think we always realise quite how dangerous other fans/teams consider him to be, particularly when he hits a run of form.

[Matt Collins]

I doubt there's a team that's been In the league for a while that gabby hasn't completely annihilated on a couple of occasions

He's not international class but when on form he's a very effective player

[Matt Collins]

He's never got more than about thirteen goals a season. But he's started getting a few assists

I think the wide of three or support striker suits him more and more

One of my favourite players

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Gabby is the ultimate fan/player he celebrates like a fan and loves his club. That little fake and skip around Toure was top notch. Think he is becoming a much better player all round ......

[Toronto Villa]

To me a Villa legend is somebody over the course of a decent span of time brings back some of your best memories. Gabby does that time and again, and if anyone deserves the title of a current legend it is him. He is massively loyal, works incredibly hard and has scored numerous important and memorable goals.

[Ian.]

He's been one of my favorite players for the last 5 or 6 years. He loves playing for us and he works his socks off. He will play anywhere on the field if asked and you never hear him moan. Fantastic player and he is a very important player in the team and I will class him as a Villa Legend in my eyes.

His scoring record is great when you consider the roles he has had to play and also when you consider the very defensive system during TSM time.

[QBVILLA]

I like him but his shooting is poor. The amount of time he hits it straight at the keeper is not good enough. He has enough good chances, due in main to his good work to be a far more regular goalscorer. Most likely why successive managers have played him out wide rather than centrally.

[garyshawsknee]

Yeah Gab is a instinctive player,the less time he has to think about a shot the better.

I love how throughout the years he has always troubled the bigger teams.

A legend for me,best summed up by those last few minutes at the Sty a few years back.

[Chris Smith]

I like him but his shooting is poor. The amount of time he hits it straight at the keeper is not good enough. He has enough good chances, due in main to his good work to be a far more regular goalscorer. Most likely why successive managers have played him out wide rather than centrally.

I think he has been played out wide because he is good at it, witness Albrighton's goal on Saturday. He used his pace to get ahead of the defender, then squared him up before beating him again and timing the cross perfectly.

[LeeB]

I like him but his shooting is poor. The amount of time he hits it straight at the keeper is not good enough. He has enough good chances, due in main to his good work to be a far more regular goalscorer. Most likely why successive managers have played him out wide rather than centrally.

To be fair, the credit should go to Albrighton for scoring when he wasn't even on the pitch.
I think he has been played out wide because he is good at it, witness Albrighton's goal on Saturday. He used his pace to get ahead of the defender, then squared him up before beating him again and timing the cross perfectly.

[Chris Smith]

I like him but his shooting is poor. The amount of time he hits it straight at the keeper is not good enough. He has enough good chances, due in main to his good work to be a far more regular goalscorer. Most likely why successive managers have played him out wide rather than centrally.

To be fair, the credit should go to Albrighton for scoring when he wasn't even on the pitch.
I think he has been played out wide because he is good at it, witness Albrighton's goal on Saturday. He used his pace to get ahead of the defender, then squared him up before beating him again and timing the cross perfectly.

Ah yes well, witness Wiemann's goal...

[Kingthing]

Can someone please the post the clip of him going over the hordings at Liverpool? I'd like to pass it on to someone.