Gabby

[peter w]

And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.

[paul_e]

And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.

Not true, we have sought to replace it, we've just not done a good job of it.  Milner was replaced by Ireland, Young was replaced by Nzogbia, Downing was replaced by Albrighton.  The first 2 have shown they can create and score in the premier league at other clubs, the latter showed it with us but until nzogbia's mini revival in the last month none of them have provided anything like their best for 2 years.

[N'ZMAV]

The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.

Put him in a race with any other prem striker and he would wipe the floor with them.

True, then he'd be in one-on-one with the GK and hit the ball right at him.

[kippaxvilla2]

If he has lost a yard of pace which I suspect he has then he is no better than Vassell in my view.

[Drummond]

Oh what we'd do for a Darius Vassell or Julian Joachim now etc etc

[martin o`who??]

I know his a villa boy but personally he just not good enough . 10 league goals in 75 games  and tonight performance I thought was awful .

I would move him on and focus on Weimann as 2nd striker

No Richard, i think Weimann and Benteke will both go, that being the case Gabbys about all we`ll have left bless him.

[peter w]

And since then we have not sought to replace the supply line for Gabby, or any of the other forwards for that matter.

Not true, we have sought to replace it, we've just not done a good job of it.  Milner was replaced by Ireland, Young was replaced by Nzogbia, Downing was replaced by Albrighton.  The first 2 have shown they can create and score in the premier league at other clubs, the latter showed it with us but until nzogbia's mini revival in the last month none of them have provided anything like their best for 2 years.

Albrighton was already here so not a replacement. Nzog isn't a winger whipping the ball in a la Young and ireland is not creating, or plays wide. It is not just the players though, its the system. We try and play through the middle more and so Gabby, and others are starved of service.

[ez]

Should we go down I wonder how much in total we would get for Benteke, Bent and Weimann. Gabby is the least valuable in terms of money but could do a job in the championship. If we go down we should keep him.

[SoccerHQ]

Wouldn't play him against City tbh.

As regards the summer, I can see a Stoke or Fulham type club signing him.

[SoccerHQ]

The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.

I agree. PW, take a look at when Bent got injured last season and Gabby did play central striker. He really did fail to step up when we needed him to and didn't score a single goal.

[supertom]

To be honest I'm getting the feeling that this summer will be the last, best chance of cashing in on Gabby. Even then we'd be looking at 5 mill. In his heyday under O Neill we could conceivably have got comfortably over 10 million. Maybe up to 15. But his stock has fallen a lot.

I'm torn though. Benteke's going to go whatever happens. Wiemann may stay. If we go down that's not that likely. I think he'd give us  a year or two but I think Randy may want to cash in.

But yes, conceivably we could lose Benteke, Bent and Andy. For me Gabby has to stay. If that's the case he'll probably end up finishing his career here, or just drifting away on a free or for dirt cheap in a couple of years.
I do think however that Gabby given the prime striking spot for us, all season, could score plenty of goals in the Championship. I think he'd be one of the top players in that division in truth, and it may serve him in good stead to get amongst the goals for when/if we come back up.

[peter w]

The best we saw of Gabby was when he was playing up top on his own under MON. He was very good at it and it seemed to suit him down to the ground. I'm not sure he's got the pace to play that role now though.

I agree. PW, take a look at when Bent got injured last season and Gabby did play central striker. He really did fail to step up when we needed him to and didn't score a single goal.

And what service did he get. That's his strength when playing through the middle.

[peter w]

Should we go down I wonder how much in total we would get for Benteke, Bent and Weimann. Gabby is the least valuable in terms of money but could do a job in the championship. If we go down we should keep him.

Absolutely no way would he go for less than Weimann.

[N'ZMAV]

Gabby £7m
Benteke £18m
Bent £10m
Weimann £6m

maybe?..

[supertom]

Gabby £7m
Benteke £18m
Bent £10m
Weimann £6m

maybe?..

We'd get 7 or 8 for Gabby from O Neill. From anyone else we'd be looking realistically at 5 IMO. His main asset is pace, and he's coming into his late 20's. He's already not as quick as he was 4 years ago, and will get slower. Granted he'll still roast most defenders, but that will be in mind when someone wants to sign him on a 3-4 year contract. He wouldn't move for less IMO.

Weimann I think at his age we can hold out for 8-10. It's high but it's the market.

Benteke. Not a penny under 25 IMO. Again, it's how the market works for others so we shouldn't take less than what we want. Of course it partly depends on the next 11 games and whether he continues his form. He could go cold and people will be put off, because he started slowly too.

Bent could get as much as 15, but we might relent at 10 I guess. Depending on buyers. Arry or Pulis might pay over the odds if they have the cash (and IF QPR are still up).