Karim El Ahmadi CONFIRMED (Reply #278)

[Toronto Villa]

There really must be fuck all going on if some people are acctually dissecting these comments and finding faults. I'm stunned he's been as complimentary as he has been seeing as he doesn't even play for us. Breaking news, he's not joining Man U or Real Madrid, so be happy that he has already come across as being positive and eager to do well.

[supertom]

Are we seriously getting on a players back before he's even joined? I really don't see the fuss at all. Is it really that big a deal? He could have said far worse and there are some rent a gob players out there who probably have when they've joined new clubs.

Anyway, once signed and sealed (hopefully), then welcome aboad Karim!! Pay no attention to the moaners. I for one will give you the benefit of 10 games. If you're shite, then I'll start moaning about you! But not before you've kicked a fecking ball.

:p

[silhillvilla]

We should fine him 2 weeks wages for those disrespectful comments 

[Karl Bridges]

I think if we'd signed Jordan Rhodes from Huddersfield and he said he was looking forward to testing himself in the premiership, playing against the likes of Chelsea, Utd, City etc.  No-one would have batted an eyelid.

[olaftab]

Is he still talking or has he signed?

[Phil from the upper holte]

I didn't think it was an issue, what's he going to say? I'm really looking forward to playing west Brom

[KRS]

Are we seriously getting on a players back before he's even joined?

No we're not...its just a couple of petty miserable old gits.

[Billy Walker]

Are people being critical of a player relishing facing the top sides and being up for it? This thread has had its moments.

It isn't that long ago that players joining the Villa relished playing for one of the top sides?

His comments show, as someone else has said, that to a decent player in the Netherlands we are now just a generic Premier League team.

Secondly, compare and contrast his comments to those of Lambert when he joined.  Plenty on here were messing their pants over Lambert talking up our history, etc, etc - is it too much trouble for new signings to try to look at the club in the same way as us fans?  Even if they don't mean it (you reckon Lambert's a lifelong Villa fan?!) then they should at least say the right things.

We all bemoan the fact that modern footballers are mercenaries - comments like those quoted support that view.

I don't think he has said anything wrong at all.  Imagine if it was 1981 again, he was joining us as Champions and he used exactly the same words:

“Villa is a top club. I will miss Feyenoord, but nobody will blame me I want to take this step.

“I am looking forward to playing against clubs like Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.”

There is absolutely nothing disrespectful in that - he simply wants to challenge himself against the very best teams/players.  Perfectly understandable and just what I want to hear from a new signing, to be honest.

[PeterWithe]

Was he the co-pilot in Airplane?

[JUAN PABLO]

El Ahmadi said:?“Villa is a top club. I will miss Feyenoord, but nobody will blame me I want to take this step.

“I am looking forward to playing against clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.”

Is it too much to ask for new players to lie about their reasons for joining us if necessary and not admit that they couldn't give a rats ass who they're playing for as long as they can play against the Sky 4?!

I must admit I found that quote rather annoying too

I’m sorry, but I don’t see the issue here. Do you honestly think that a foreign player gives two hoots about us and our history? To most foreigners players, we’re a bit part Premier League who once won the European Cup before they were probably born. Of course they want to play against the Sky 4 and if they were good enough, they would be playing for the Sky 4. Its just the way of the world.

yes and he didnt mention Liverpool

[peter w]

In my opinion Gabby has this season (possibly to Christmas) to cut it with the new manager. If he doesnt then its time to part ways. We cant carry him forever however much I want him to succeed.
I'm convinced theres an absolutely lethal weapon there somewhere but somebody will need to unlock it soon. Too much of the joker, not enough business.
He'll have big competition this season from Bent (who will start ahead of him), Weimann and whoever else Lambert brings in. He'll have to make a big impact on Lambert and may have limited opportunity to do so.

It would be great for the fans who love him if he could become the player we all hoped he could be. If not, well c'est la vie.

I think you're being extremely harsh. In the early part of the season -up unto  his injury he was spoken of in international call-up terms.. When he came back he was in a team not creating goals and playing up top by himself. No, he wasn't playing well also - but his ,midfield certainly didn't help. neither, I must add, did his manager.

[danlanza]

In my opinion Gabby has this season (possibly to Christmas) to cut it with the new manager. If he doesnt then its time to part ways. We cant carry him forever however much I want him to succeed.
I'm convinced theres an absolutely lethal weapon there somewhere but somebody will need to unlock it soon. Too much of the joker, not enough business.
He'll have big competition this season from Bent (who will start ahead of him), Weimann and whoever else Lambert brings in. He'll have to make a big impact on Lambert and may have limited opportunity to do so.

It would be great for the fans who love him if he could become the player we all hoped he could be. If not, well c'est la vie.

I think you're being extremely harsh. In the early part of the season -up unto  his injury he was spoken of in international call-up terms.. When he came back he was in a team not creating goals and playing up top by himself. No, he wasn't playing well also - but his ,midfield certainly didn't help. neither, I must add, did his manager.

Good call that.

[Ad@m]

Are we seriously getting on a players back before he's even joined?

No we're not...its just a couple of petty miserable old gits.

Oi!  Less of the old!

[Mazrim]

In my opinion Gabby has this season (possibly to Christmas) to cut it with the new manager. If he doesnt then its time to part ways. We cant carry him forever however much I want him to succeed.
I'm convinced theres an absolutely lethal weapon there somewhere but somebody will need to unlock it soon. Too much of the joker, not enough business.
He'll have big competition this season from Bent (who will start ahead of him), Weimann and whoever else Lambert brings in. He'll have to make a big impact on Lambert and may have limited opportunity to do so.

It would be great for the fans who love him if he could become the player we all hoped he could be. If not, well c'est la vie.

I think you're being extremely harsh. In the early part of the season -up unto  his injury he was spoken of in international call-up terms.. When he came back he was in a team not creating goals and playing up top by himself. No, he wasn't playing well also - but his ,midfield certainly didn't help. neither, I must add, did his manager.

Wanting him desperately to do well but accepting that a third season of indifferent form might be enough is "extremely harsh"?
I dont think so.

[pauliewalnuts]

Things have been a bit quiet since the managerial appointment. We've run out of things to argue about.

Hence this nonsense.

I can't believe nobody has pointed out the obvious problem with this transfer. His funny shaped head.