The Gabby Appreciation Thread - Update: 4 year deal

[Deano's Mullet]

I look at him the way I looked at Ian Taylor or Tony Daley - he's one of us and playing for the club he loves plus he's been here a long time now. He's not one of the legendary players but hes a cult figure and some of his goals, particularly vs Blues and Albion have given us memories we'll never forget. His goal record could be better - even under MON he would start the season really fast and end it with scoring issues. The only time he's finished a season with a flurry of goals was two seasons ago in Lambert's first year. Ok he has suffered positional changes at times over the last few years and his touch was dreadful last season but he's started this season well and looks the Gabby of MON days. He just needs to reach a decent consistency level that out of the three players only really Ian Taylor managed long term.

[Dante Lavelli]

I hope these are the memories he recalls as if this thread was barometer of his ability then he'd largely hate himself despite having all the above to cherish.

[ez]

It's possible being an automatic starter is actually detrimental to his game. For years now he has lived with the knowledge that he won't lose his place no matter how bad he is. Being dropped to the bench now and then might help keep him more motivated and give him a rest at the same time.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's possible being an automatic starter is actually detrimental to his game. For years now he has lived with the knowledge that he won't lose his place no matter how bad he is. Being dropped to the bench now and then might help keep him more motivated and give him a rest at the same time.

True.  Maybe not immediately but soon, I think he'll realise that missing the odd match will prolong and enhance his career.
In a weird way that is why I did not mind the 4 year deal as we have the first reserve striker/inside forward position sown up for years.  I know that sounds stupid but a lot of clubs have 10m+ players filling that position (and on similar wages too).

[Dave]

It's possible being an automatic starter is actually detrimental to his game. For years now he has lived with the knowledge that he won't lose his place no matter how bad he is. Being dropped to the bench now and then might help keep him more motivated and give him a rest at the same time.

True.  Maybe not immediately but soon, I think he'll realise that missing the odd match will prolong and enhance his career.
In a weird way that is why I did not mind the 4 year deal as we have the first reserve striker/inside forward position sown up for years.  I know that sounds stupid but a lot of clubs have 10m+ players filling that position (and on similar wages too).

Not a bad point that.

Even in a couple of years time, having Gabby to come off the bench at 75 minutes to run at a tiring defence is probably not a bad option to have.

[Dave Cooper please]

I think we need to distinguish between "Legend" which would put him up there with the true greats like McGrath, Little etc. and just "cult" which puts him amongst those massively popular players who epitomise why it is to be a Villa fan without ever being truly great.

[Rudy65]

Pretty sure we all love Gabby and he has played some match-winning games and scored some crucial goals for us. Other teams are shit-scared of his pace and his potential finishing, but I just wish he could stay turned on throughout the game - Saturday was a good example - his chasing led to the corner which he scored from, but far too many times he wasn't even looking at the play/ball when 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' defenders had the ball and so made no attempt to close them down and make life difficult for them.
Perhaps he was astute enough to know they were a bit shit?
;-)

I initially thought the same things re him not chasing down defenders. However, unusually I watched the post match Redknapp comments and he made some telling points. Basically Gabby was tasked to keep pressure on Gerrard to not to be able to ping long passes. Conversely, he seemed under instruction from PL to simply let the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' centre halves have the ball as they consistently gave the ball away or passed it sideways. It worked perfectly.

[Rudy65]

The day at the sty when he cleared off the line then went down the other end and bagged the winner will live long in the memory banks.

Oh yes

In my top five best Villa moments of all time and that includes Highbury and Rotterdam.

Didnt appreciate the kicking after the match though

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Pretty sure we all love Gabby and he has played some match-winning games and scored some crucial goals for us. Other teams are shit-scared of his pace and his potential finishing, but I just wish he could stay turned on throughout the game - Saturday was a good example - his chasing led to the corner which he scored from, but far too many times he wasn't even looking at the play/ball when 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' defenders had the ball and so made no attempt to close them down and make life difficult for them.
Perhaps he was astute enough to know they were a bit shit?
;-)

I initially thought the same things re him not chasing down defenders. However, unusually I watched the post match Redknapp comments and he made some telling points. Basically Gabby was tasked to keep pressure on Gerrard to not to be able to ping long passes. Conversely, he seemed under instruction from PL to simply let the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' centre halves have the ball as they consistently gave the ball away or passed it sideways. It worked perfectly.

He does it a fair bit though...

or, it shows my last sentence is spot on!

Hope he's up for it on Saturday...would love to see Gabby in his pomp against the Arse!

[Olof's Beard]

Pretty sure we all love Gabby and he has played some match-winning games and scored some crucial goals for us. Other teams are shit-scared of his pace and his potential finishing, but I just wish he could stay turned on throughout the game - Saturday was a good example - his chasing led to the corner which he scored from, but far too many times he wasn't even looking at the play/ball when 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' defenders had the ball and so made no attempt to close them down and make life difficult for them.
Perhaps he was astute enough to know they were a bit shit?
;-)

I initially thought the same things re him not chasing down defenders. However, unusually I watched the post match Redknapp comments and he made some telling points. Basically Gabby was tasked to keep pressure on Gerrard to not to be able to ping long passes. Conversely, he seemed under instruction from PL to simply let the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' centre halves have the ball as they consistently gave the ball away or passed it sideways. It worked perfectly.

He does it a fair bit though...

or, it shows my last sentence is spot on!

Hope he's up for it on Saturday...would love to see Gabby in his pomp against the Arse!

It was pretty obvious he was told to sit on Gerrard.  His first thought was to look for him when they had the ball and to an extent it was annoying me on occasion because he would be close to Lovren and able to put him under pressure and force a mistake but immediately turn around.  Gabby confirmed in his own post match interview that the gameplan was not to let Gerrard have any space and he clearly played his tactical instructions to the letter.

[paul_e]

It's possible being an automatic starter is actually detrimental to his game. For years now he has lived with the knowledge that he won't lose his place no matter how bad he is. Being dropped to the bench now and then might help keep him more motivated and give him a rest at the same time.

I actually think the reverse is true.  He seems to perform a lot better when there's not much pressure on him.  He does well against the top sides because there's often a feeling that anything from the game is a bonus. The only 'pressure' games where he seems to rise to it are against the local sides, which is more about him being a fan than anything else.

You only have to look at the times where he's had good runs, it's always coincided with another attacking player having a good run (the end of 12/13 for example, Benteke and Weimann found their top form and then Gabby caught up) or with the team in general performing well and him just being part of it (as is the case now and was the case a fair few times under mon).

This also explains the regularity of him starting the season well and fading.

[peter w]

And yet talking to almost any fans of other Prem clubs and the one Villa player they like or think is good, even when we were good, is Gabby.

[dekko]

And yet talking to almost any fans of other Prem clubs and the one Villa player they like or think is good, even when we were good, is Gabby.

I've always found it the exact opposite, I'm always being told we should sell him.

[peter w]

You're talking to too many Noses then.

[Witton Warrior]

I think we need to distinguish between "Legend" which would put him up there with the true greats like McGrath, Little etc. and just "cult" which puts him amongst those massively popular players who epitomise why it is to be a Villa fan without ever being truly great.

Good definitions PC - Gabby is "cult" and would be a Legend if we had beaten Manure in the League Cup under MoN. He drives me mad sometimes but I love him - when he scores against Blose it is tremendous - like one of us doing it!

Maybe I should change my strapline thingie but I live in hope he will be in a cup-winning side; or maybe the Premiership this season ;-)