n'zogbia's overall play and attitude

[PaulTheVillan]

I think  the problem is we're playing too narrow.

[Villanation]

I think  the problem is we're playing too narrow.

Could be, I think another problem is players aren't relating to each other in the way we where even last season. Petrov's goal was an opportunistic punt at goal that turned out excellent, Gabby goal was virtually self made, well if we are going to get the best from a brilliant striker like Darren Bent we have to start to get some cohesion surely.

Needs Gabby right at his side IMO.

[Dante Lavelli]

"Needs Gabby right at his side IMO."

I have never understood this Bent needs a partner theory.  My recollection of his playing career suggests otherwise.
He got his big move to Spurs having played as a lone striker for Charlton.  At spurs he was paired with either Defoe, Keane or Crouch and never really maintained his Charlton form.  Admittedly there was a period at Sunderland with K. Jones but he soon left for Stoke and he was back playing on his own with Wellbeck and Gyan (sp?) in a kind of 433.

[Villanation]

"Needs Gabby right at his side IMO."

I have never understood this Bent needs a partner theory.  My recollection of his playing career suggests otherwise.
He got his big move to Spurs having played as a lone striker for Charlton.  At spurs he was paired with either Defoe, Keane or Crouch and never really maintained his Charlton form.  Admittedly there was a period at Sunderland with K. Jones but he soon left for Stoke and he was back playing on his own with Wellbeck and Gyan (sp?) in a kind of 433.

My point would be, At Villa he needs a partner, the past is just that, to me at Villa he seems to be drifting this season, last season he did well but the quality of service he was getting was from the likes of Ash Young, look at the impact on Rooney's game this season with Ash in the side, calling him world class again.

Problem for Benty he hasn't got that in the side any more, that's where N'Zogbia is going to have to kick in and fast, the only other option if for McLiesh to create a partnership, its the old way, but it often works.

[gervilla]

I think  the problem is we're playing too narrow.

I think the problem is we aint giving DB any service whatsoever. Bannans brain in the center of midfield may solve this problem. Petrov and Delph cant give him the service, maybe Ireland could if he gets his finger out of his arse.
Hopefully Jenas can when he's fit.

[dishy]

Ok he's not been great so far but he wouldn't be the first player to take a season to settle into a new club. Lets not get on his back just yet.
And it's a huge reminder for those that thought replacing the 'over-rated' Ashley Young would be a piece of piss.

I love the "needs time to settle" argument, just like Aguero and Suarez need time to settle, imagine how good they will be when they have settled.  Zog has played in England for years, this excuse of "needs time" is bullcrap, if players have ability they "settle" very quickly.

Are you really trying to compare two world class players playing in teams who are dominating games with possession at 75% and having 20 shots per game against our 1 shot on target and very little ball?

I am pointing out that Zog has played in the top flight in England for years, yet he still needs time to settle when other players can come in from other countries and slot in straight away, why is only at Villa that players need time to settle

It isn't only Villa. Has Carroll settled at Liverpool yet, for example? I'm sure if you look into it you can find examples at all clubs.

Don't be daft Chris, this is modern football with the modern fan. Its got to happen now, in the first five minutes of a game otherwise he's a write off.

was the "modern fan" aimed at me, do you think any modern fan would be pissing their time away on a Villa message board, balls would they, they would be doing it on a manure, city, chelsea, 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' or arse. I'm a bit too long in the tooth to be a modern fan, cant change my club, everyone who knows me knows im Villa, no way i can say it has all been a dream like Bobby Ewing, i have an opinion on Zog, a player who needs time to settle in the same league he has played in for a few years now, whereas other teams can get players in from abroad who fit right in from the off, he needs to buck his ideas up and earn his money, he doesn't need people making excuses for him, he is after all a professional footballer.

[Villanation]

I think that's right dishy, he has to step up, he's a pro, he should show it and is not a question of getting used to the Premiership which can be a problem.

Fact is we play Newcastle next at Villa park, lets see him do a job.

[gervilla]

Do we think Stephen Ireland still needs time to settle ? He cant get anymore settled than he is now and he's still ( if he's lucky) getting a few minutes off the bench. At what stage do we say he aint going to do it and consign him to the bin.
N'Zog has to get his finger outta his arse and start performing. We are not in the position where we can carry players in the hope that they will eventually come good.
We can't build our season on ifs and buts. If Charles need a few games coming off the bench then so be it.

[olaftab]

His place in the team depends on how Marc  Albrighton   and Ireland progress this season. Ireland really  should be making it now and if  he is not a regular by Xmas  than we really need to  throttle him! Marc's personal target should be to keep him out of the team but...

[Villanation]

Do we think Stephen Ireland still needs time to settle ? He cant get anymore settled than he is now and he's still ( if he's lucky) getting a few minutes off the bench. At what stage do we say he aint going to do it and consign him to the bin.
N'Zog has to get his finger outta his arse and start performing. We are not in the position where we can carry players in the hope that they will eventually come good.
We can't build our season on ifs and buts. If Charles need a few games coming off the bench then so be it.

Stephen Ireland, he's so settled he's horizontal, I can't figure this player out, but when you see the none fan of football making statements like millionaire over hyped young blokes that do phuk all for it, then, well, you can't help but think of Stephen Ireland.

For me this is the kind of player we need to get of the wage bill and make room for players that want to give heart and soul to the club or at the very least 90mins or there time each week.

[nigel]

Do we think Stephen Ireland still needs time to settle ? He cant get anymore settled than he is now and he's still ( if he's lucky) getting a few minutes off the bench. At what stage do we say he aint going to do it and consign him to the bin.
N'Zog has to get his finger outta his arse and start performing. We are not in the position where we can carry players in the hope that they will eventually come good.
We can't build our season on ifs and buts. If Charles need a few games coming off the bench then so be it.

Stephen Ireland, he's so settled he's horizontal, I can't figure this player out, but when you see the none fan of football making statements like millionaire over hyped young blokes that do phuk all for it, then, well, you can't help but think of Stephen Ireland.

For me this is the kind of player we need to get of the wage bill and make room for players that want to give heart and soul to the club or at the very least 90mins or there time each week.

Tend to agree with CN'Z starting on the bench for a couple of games.
On the Stephen Ireland front, I think he needs a couple of 90 games and a goal and his confidence could return.
When he played against Hereford he had a decent game and was getting into some great positions, only a couple of great saves kept him off the score sheet.
I was one of his biggest critics, but it appears he seems 'interested' again. This can only benefit our club.

[gervilla]

Do we think Stephen Ireland still needs time to settle ? He cant get anymore settled than he is now and he's still ( if he's lucky) getting a few minutes off the bench. At what stage do we say he aint going to do it and consign him to the bin.
N'Zog has to get his finger outta his arse and start performing. We are not in the position where we can carry players in the hope that they will eventually come good.
We can't build our season on ifs and buts. If Charles need a few games coming off the bench then so be it.

Stephen Ireland, he's so settled he's horizontal, I can't figure this player out, but when you see the none fan of football making statements like millionaire over hyped young blokes that do phuk all for it, then, well, you can't help but think of Stephen Ireland.

For me this is the kind of player we need to get of the wage bill and make room for players that want to give heart and soul to the club or at the very least 90mins or there time each week.

Tend to agree with CN'Z starting on the bench for a couple of games.
On the Stephen Ireland front, I think he needs a couple of 90 games and a goal and his confidence could return.
When he played against Hereford he had a decent game and was getting into some great positions, only a couple of great saves kept him off the score sheet.
I was one of his biggest critics, but it appears he seems 'interested' again. This can only benefit our club.

How good of him.  It's shit or bust for him from now 'till January. Redemption or get rid. He has a chance to get into the team and all going well , stay there, if he still has the heart to play football and earn his money for a change.

[brian green]

We did not give Jean II Makoun time to settle.   His was a clear case of being a Houllier man he could pack his bags.   N'Zogbia is very much McLeish's man and if he does not deliver, McLeish should be and will be held to account.

I do not buy into this mindset of one player being given two seasons to settle in and another given two months.   If you hire a top barrister you expect him/her to perform just as well at Southwark Crown Court as at the Old Bailey.   They are very highly paid professionals and should perform as such not like part timers who are worried about who is running the family plumbing business on saturday afternoons.

[hawkeye]

I agree with BG, I can understand the bit short of fitness, it is his decision making that is the problem.

[brian green]

Spot on.   Against Wolves he chose long range pot shots at goal on two or three occasions when he should have realized that his job is to feed Bent whether he likes it or not.