Aston Villa sign Charles N'Zogbia (Reply#1151)

[Matt Collins]

I wasn't at all suggesting we should give up on Albrighton. But I do think he needs to improve quite a few areas of his game. I think it's often the case that pacy direct wingers make an immediate impact with a bit of surprise factor, but then get found out a bit. They can often overcome this but sometimes don't. Albrighton's great advantage is his crossing from a standing position without beating a man. But his passing and positional play are poor at the moment. I also wonder whether his dribbling ability is sophisticated enough to be consistently successful. I think Young got found out a little bit with this too.

N'Zogbia on the other hand is genuinely very inventive and tricky with the ball at his feet.

[Greg N'Ash]

Eh? The N'zogbia i've seen tends to have a couple of blinding games a season when he looks world class and the rest of time he comes across as disinterested. The ability is there but "always gives 100%"?? I'd say his workrate is the major question mark about him.

[Irish villain]

Albrighton has the makings of a very good player. However, his performances towards the end of the season were very poor. One game when he came on as sub at half-time at home (can't remember who against - maybe Wolves?) he was dreadful - completely clueless. But this is part of him developing, getting found out by opposition defenders and then having to overcome this. I think he will but we cannot rely on him totally yet.

Must say I agree with this. Also, ill-discipline from him cost us some stupid free kicks that led to dropped points. Fulham away in particular sticks out in my mind. He has enormous potential, but he's still developing. This could be a big season for him, he will have learned from his first team experience last year. However, it'll be another little while before he's the finished article.

[Concrete John]

Does anyone know why the deal collapsed when AM tried to sign him for Bloose? The only quotes I've seen suggest all was done and dusted but then "the goal posts were moved at the last minute". Kind of suggests N'Zog was about to sign but then he (or his agent) upped their wage demands and then didn't sign? If so there may be an attitude issue in there.

That's what was reported.  He turned up the day he was due to sign and asked for a extra £20k a week on top of what had already been agreed and Blues told him to fuck off.  I'd say rightly so, but as it was the three stooges in charge at the time, who knows what the truth actually was?  If he actually did that I couldn't see McLeish wanting to get involved with him or his agent again, so maybe whatever did happen was slanted against the player by Porno Dwarf, the Helicopter ehthusiast and the Slag?

[PeterWithe]

The truth is that after the fee and wages were agreed his agent asked for an extra £10k a week and SHA told him the deal was off.

[citizenDJ]

Eh? The N'zogbia i've seen tends to have a couple of blinding games a season when he looks world class and the rest of time he comes across as disinterested. The ability is there but "always gives 100%"?? I'd say his workrate is the major question mark about him.

I disagree there, Greg. I'm not saying he's a world beater or anything, although I do think he's a very good player, but from what I've seen he does tend to put a shift in. Not quite Ashley Young levels, but he does do a decent job of tracking back.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I wasn't at all suggesting we should give up on Albrighton. But I do think he needs to improve quite a few areas of his game. I think it's often the case that pacy direct wingers make an immediate impact with a bit of surprise factor, but then get found out a bit. They can often overcome this but sometimes don't. Albrighton's great advantage is his crossing from a standing position without beating a man. But his passing and positional play are poor at the moment. I also wonder whether his dribbling ability is sophisticated enough to be consistently successful. I think Young got found out a little bit with this too.

N'Zogbia on the other hand is genuinely very inventive and tricky with the ball at his feet.

Agreed Matt. And it's also why I wouldn't entertain SWP joining us...yes, he's quick, but not actually skilful enough with the ball to have great impact....any defender with a bit of nous would have no problem with him and that's what we saw with Marc towards the end of last season. Ash's novelty factor was also sussed...is that why he wanted to play where he did last season?
I think N'Zogbia is more artful....has a variety of tricks up his sleeve, not just pace.

[CJ]

Does anyone know why the deal collapsed when AM tried to sign him for Bloose? The only quotes I've seen suggest all was done and dusted but then "the goal posts were moved at the last minute". Kind of suggests N'Zog was about to sign but then he (or his agent) upped their wage demands and then didn't sign? If so there may be an attitude issue in there.

That's what was reported.  He turned up the day he was due to sign and asked for a extra £20k a week on top of what had already been agreed and Blues told him to fuck off.  I'd say rightly so, but as it was the three stooges in charge at the time, who knows what the truth actually was?  If he actually did that I couldn't see McLeish wanting to get involved with him or his agent again, so maybe whatever did happen was slanted against the player by Porno Dwarf, the Helicopter ehthusiast and the Slag?

Sounds like the title for the new grown-up version of Harry Potter

[Duncan Shaw]

Can you blame him though once he turned up and seen that shit hole?

[john2710]

Who gives a shit why he didn't go to SHA?
I'm certain if AM was unhappy with the way N'Zogbia conducted himself he wouldn't go near him again. More likely that the Small Heath board tried to change the deal.

Anyway, if he does come to us he's a more than adequate replacement for Downing.

With regard to Albrighton - I'm not sure that he has enough in his locker to be a regular first team player. Do we need another winger if we have N'Zogbia & Albrighton? Maybe we won't be set up to play with 2 out and out wingers?

[Rigadon]

Nzogbia to Blues:  could be that he found out about bigger clubs wanting him at some stage in the future and did what he could to renege on signing a 4 or 5 year contract at Blues.  They're all being tapped up all the time and being 'only' 2 years away from walking for nothing makes them all powerful.

[barrysleftfoot]

  I think i will be shot down here, but i actually think if we sign N'Zog he will be a better player for us than either wanker or AYoung.More of a goal threat, more of a link player, more of an inside foward.

 Can't think of too many games where wanker or AY actually took the game by the scruff of the neck.

 Regarding Albrighton, he has Beckhamesque crossing ability, as good as anyone in the prem, but he needs to grow up physically and mentally.Struggles against pacy FBs, or aggressive FBs, needs not to be intimidated, and as someone earlier said, and as Beckham realised, with his crossing ability you don't need to beat a FB.

[Irish villain]

And, unlike Dirty D, he might actually tackle.

[Chris Smith]

The story I heard was that he was all set to sign then he met McLesish who said "this s a shit club and the owner is a crook, do one while you've still got a chance. I'll be at a top club next season and will buy you then".

[Concrete John]

That certainly has a ring of truth about it.........