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

[Legion]

A perspective from a Wigan fan

I have had the privilege of watching one of the finest football players I have ever seen turn out for my team on a weekly basis for the past 2 ½ seasons, I just wish him all the best, you`ve got some player coming your way.

1) So, always feel awkward interviewing an editor when a player is departing, but here we go... Are you surprised that N`Zogbia has agreed to move to Aston Villa?

Not surprised that he`s agreed to go because you have the potential, but what I am surprised about, and no disrespect to Villa, is that a bigger club, perhaps the wrong words, shall we say one competing in the Champions League haven`t come in for him. He is top class and performs week in, week out.

2) Do you think he is right to want to move on and how will he be 'welcomed` when he returns in the claret and blue at your gaff?

He is at a stage of his career where he needs to be part of a team challenging for honours, he has expressed a desire to push on his international career and again playing at a more high profile club than the Latics will get him in the spotlight more often. Can see him becoming a permanent fixture in the France team.

When he returns to the DW I`d put my house on the fact that he gets a rousing reception, what he has done for the Latics over the past two and a half years has been fantastic. He is a legend; the performances that he put in during the run-in to the end of last season were nothing short of sensational. Most Latics fans will wish him the best and thank him for his superb efforts for the club.

3) What sort of a player do you think we are getting?

I`d go as far as saying that you are getting a World Class player, he is fast, great technical ability, works hard for the team and he is very responsible out on the pitch, he steps up, his attitude is spot on, don`t believe any of the rubbish you read about moods or tantrums, Charlie is comfortable on either side of the pitch but I think he is most effective playing down the right and cutting in, we have also played him in the hole behind the main striker. He can score, a good bet to pop up with very important goals, take a look at the highlights of our final home game of last season against West Ham for proof of that, all in all a top class player.

4) Straight choice, Stewart Downing or Charles N`Zogbia, which one would you go for?

Charles N`Zogbia without a shadow of a doubt, and I rate Downing, but Charlie is head and shoulders better, if you think you`ve ended up with a bum deal losing Downing and gaining N`Zogbia then you are in for a treat.

5) Do you think £9.5m is about right price wise?

Nowhere near what he is worth with the fees being paid for other players, definitely the bargain of the summer, due to his contract entering the final year that took away a bit of our bargaining power. You`ve got yourselves a tremendous asset for a relatively low price in comparison to the market.

6) Would you like Emile Heskey back?!?! ;o))

Err, no, would have last summer but a year too late, I thought he was off to Leicester?

[Meanwood Villa]

^^ Very positive comments there. Always a good sign when players are popular with the fans. Would we be able to say the same to Liverpool fans asking about Downing>

[Caiphus]

http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CONTISLAND.html

Australia is scientifically considered a continent, because of it's separation from other continental masses by tectonic plates.  It also has it's own individual biodiversity.  The Pacific Islands just get thrown into a geographic continent called because they are  not big enough to be their own continent even though they are on separate plates.  If Madagascar was the size of Australia, because it fulfils the other criteria it would be considered a continent.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

A perspective from a Wigan fan

I have had the privilege of watching one of the finest football players I have ever seen turn out for my team on a weekly basis for the past 2 ½ seasons, I just wish him all the best, you`ve got some player coming your way.

1) So, always feel awkward interviewing an editor when a player is departing, but here we go... Are you surprised that N`Zogbia has agreed to move to Aston Villa?

Not surprised that he`s agreed to go because you have the potential, but what I am surprised about, and no disrespect to Villa, is that a bigger club, perhaps the wrong words, shall we say one competing in the Champions League haven`t come in for him. He is top class and performs week in, week out.

2) Do you think he is right to want to move on and how will he be 'welcomed` when he returns in the claret and blue at your gaff?

He is at a stage of his career where he needs to be part of a team challenging for honours, he has expressed a desire to push on his international career and again playing at a more high profile club than the Latics will get him in the spotlight more often. Can see him becoming a permanent fixture in the France team.

When he returns to the DW I`d put my house on the fact that he gets a rousing reception, what he has done for the Latics over the past two and a half years has been fantastic. He is a legend; the performances that he put in during the run-in to the end of last season were nothing short of sensational. Most Latics fans will wish him the best and thank him for his superb efforts for the club.

3) What sort of a player do you think we are getting?

I`d go as far as saying that you are getting a World Class player, he is fast, great technical ability, works hard for the team and he is very responsible out on the pitch, he steps up, his attitude is spot on, don`t believe any of the rubbish you read about moods or tantrums, Charlie is comfortable on either side of the pitch but I think he is most effective playing down the right and cutting in, we have also played him in the hole behind the main striker. He can score, a good bet to pop up with very important goals, take a look at the highlights of our final home game of last season against West Ham for proof of that, all in all a top class player.

4) Straight choice, Stewart Downing or Charles N`Zogbia, which one would you go for?

Charles N`Zogbia without a shadow of a doubt, and I rate Downing, but Charlie is head and shoulders better, if you think you`ve ended up with a bum deal losing Downing and gaining N`Zogbia then you are in for a treat.

5) Do you think £9.5m is about right price wise?

Nowhere near what he is worth with the fees being paid for other players, definitely the bargain of the summer, due to his contract entering the final year that took away a bit of our bargaining power. You`ve got yourselves a tremendous asset for a relatively low price in comparison to the market.

6) Would you like Emile Heskey back?!?! ;o))

Err, no, would have last summer but a year too late, I thought he was off to Leicester?

Mcleish will have soon made two top quality signings. add two more (central defensive powerhouse) and right sided pacy winger, along with the hopeful resurgence of Ireland and Warnock and we will start looking like a top 6 side ............

[Mazrim]

Encouraging comments. Thanks for posting that Legion.

So if his best position is on the right (whilst being able to play on the left) then will AM play him there and Albrighton on the left or will they genuinely compete for one place on the right, which I find unlikely?
And if so, are we only playing one winger or is a specialist left sider on the cards too?

Or maybe Delph will play left midfield with a winger on the right.

[Villa'Zawg]

Charlie's opta stats are impressive.

ITV.Com Opta Stats - Clicky

Only Messi attempted more dribbles last season :-)

[Concrete John]

Encouraging comments. Thanks for posting that Legion.

So if his best position is on the right (whilst being able to play on the left) then will AM play him there and Albrighton on the left or will they genuinely compete for one place on the right, which I find unlikely?
And if so, are we only playing one winger or is a specialist left sider on the cards too?

Or maybe Delph will play left midfield with a winger on the right.

I think we'll see him play on both sides, dependent on who else is in the team.  If it's Albrighton then he'll be on the left with Marc on the right.  But if it's more of a 4-3-3 with Gabby, then I think we'll see Charlie on the right.

[Mazrim]

Another point.
Ireland was arguably at his best playing with Robinho behind an out and out striker.

Well, N'Zogbia reminds me very much of Robinho.

[Percy McCarthy]

A perspective from a Wigan fan

I have had the privilege of watching one of the finest football players I have ever seen turn out for my team on a weekly basis for the past 2 ½ seasons, I just wish him all the best, you`ve got some player coming your way.

1) So, always feel awkward interviewing an editor when a player is departing, but here we go... Are you surprised that N`Zogbia has agreed to move to Aston Villa?

Not surprised that he`s agreed to go because you have the potential, but what I am surprised about, and no disrespect to Villa, is that a bigger club, perhaps the wrong words, shall we say one competing in the Champions League haven`t come in for him. He is top class and performs week in, week out.

2) Do you think he is right to want to move on and how will he be 'welcomed` when he returns in the claret and blue at your gaff?

He is at a stage of his career where he needs to be part of a team challenging for honours, he has expressed a desire to push on his international career and again playing at a more high profile club than the Latics will get him in the spotlight more often. Can see him becoming a permanent fixture in the France team.

When he returns to the DW I`d put my house on the fact that he gets a rousing reception, what he has done for the Latics over the past two and a half years has been fantastic. He is a legend; the performances that he put in during the run-in to the end of last season were nothing short of sensational. Most Latics fans will wish him the best and thank him for his superb efforts for the club.

3) What sort of a player do you think we are getting?

I`d go as far as saying that you are getting a World Class player, he is fast, great technical ability, works hard for the team and he is very responsible out on the pitch, he steps up, his attitude is spot on, don`t believe any of the rubbish you read about moods or tantrums, Charlie is comfortable on either side of the pitch but I think he is most effective playing down the right and cutting in, we have also played him in the hole behind the main striker. He can score, a good bet to pop up with very important goals, take a look at the highlights of our final home game of last season against West Ham for proof of that, all in all a top class player.

4) Straight choice, Stewart Downing or Charles N`Zogbia, which one would you go for?

Charles N`Zogbia without a shadow of a doubt, and I rate Downing, but Charlie is head and shoulders better, if you think you`ve ended up with a bum deal losing Downing and gaining N`Zogbia then you are in for a treat.

5) Do you think £9.5m is about right price wise?

Nowhere near what he is worth with the fees being paid for other players, definitely the bargain of the summer, due to his contract entering the final year that took away a bit of our bargaining power. You`ve got yourselves a tremendous asset for a relatively low price in comparison to the market.

6) Would you like Emile Heskey back?!?! ;o))

Err, no, would have last summer but a year too late, I thought he was off to Leicester?

Nothing I didn't think already, nice to have it confirmed by someone who's seen a lot more of him.

[dave.woodhall]

How come he can get a visa for only some parts of Asia?

One's work, one's holiday.

[not3bad]

I think we'll see him play on both sides, dependent on who else is in the team.  If it's Albrighton then he'll be on the left with Marc on the right.  But if it's more of a 4-3-3 with Gabby, then I think we'll see Charlie on the right.

Another point.
Ireland was arguably at his best playing with Robinho behind an out and out striker.

Well, N'Zogbia reminds me very much of Robinho.

Crikey, do we have options?!

[pedro25]

http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CONTISLAND.html

Australia is scientifically considered a continent, because of it's separation from other continental masses by tectonic plates.  It also has it's own individual biodiversity.  The Pacific Islands just get thrown into a geographic continent called because they are  not big enough to be their own continent even though they are on separate plates.  If Madagascar was the size of Australia, because it fulfils the other criteria it would be considered a continent.

Yep, I think Australasia/Oceania is a region and the continent is Australia.

[spangley1812]

Has he signed yet......

[PaulWinch again]

Will be a quality player for us, needs to be followed in by a centre mid and a right back though and if Cuellar leaves, a centre half.

[dave.woodhall]

http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CONTISLAND.html

Australia is scientifically considered a continent, because of it's separation from other continental masses by tectonic plates.  It also has it's own individual biodiversity.  The Pacific Islands just get thrown into a geographic continent called because they are  not big enough to be their own continent even though they are on separate plates.  If Madagascar was the size of Australia, because it fulfils the other criteria it would be considered a continent.

Yep, I think Australasia/Oceania is a region and the continent is Australia.

What continent's New Zealand in then?