Gabby

[Diablo]

I wonder if there's a bit of Steve Bull syndrome with Gabby, he rarely looked keen on playing for England either.

Hmm interesting comparison. Wolves fans rightfully love Bull. He was more prolific for sure but my god Gabby can score some crackers when he wants cant he?

Is Gabby the new Steve Bull? Hmm Bully-wooly, But Gabby-wabby. Precocious talent, isn't he? Mmm? Ooh, got it all, you know? Speed, acceleration, all the tricks - the dummy, the drop of the shoulder, the shimmy, nutmeg, jiggery-pokery, hocus pocus, abracadabra, I wanna reach out and grab ya. Steve Miller Band? Spin Doctors? Ooh, very similar

[Percy McCarthy]

I liked the story somebody posted on here after they'd seen him watching Man Utd in the pub. Apparently someone sang 'Gabby for Man U' to him and he said 'Nah mate, Villa for life'.

Might not be true, but it beats Benteke's ' I don't think so' Vegas quote hands down.

[Gaztonniller]

I just think because he's getting older. If he can carry on the end of last season's form he'll be a real asset

Yes agree, considering everything.  This new season really is tailor made for Gabby to emerge a real Villa hero if he hits good form. It'll be a very interesting and important season for him.

[Toronto Villa]

I couldn't recall if there was an appreciation thread somewhere, but he was utterly superb on Saturday. The burst of speed for the penalty was Usain Bolt-esque and reminiscent of a few years back when he was really coming to the fore. Really excellent, and he is so very strong. He gave Sagna and really whoever tried to mark him a really tough time. He is critical to what we are becoming.

[PeterWithesShin]

When on form Gabby is pretty much unplayable. He's at an age now where we need to see more consistency from him. His big fault has been his tendency to have a good two or three months every season and then fade.

[Toronto Villa]

When on form Gabby is in pretty much unplayable. He's at an age now where we need to see more consistency from him. His big fault has been his tendency to have a good two or three months every season and then fade.

Injuries haven't helped but I honestly believe he lost a lot of his desire for the game from late MON and through the TSM era. I think he's a fan like us and has been re-energised like we all have with what Lambert has brought to the club.

[PeterWithesShin]

He's done it pretty much every season since he broke through which has been his problem. But imagine Gabby on form for most of a season alongside Benteke? A defenders worst nightmare I reckon.

[Toronto Villa]

That burst of speed was something I didn't think he had anymore. Very few players in Europe have that and yes, alongside the beast, the guile and energy of Weimann and what Tonev and Helenius will bring it is very exciting indeed.

[Ads]

When I watched it back on MotD as Gabbyripped through the Arsenal central midfield and Arsenal central Defence, I thought "how many other players in the league have the raw pace and power to do that?".

The answer is one; Bale.

[not3bad]

Gabby should be aiming for the World Cup now.  Play consistently, as has been mentioned, and just keep cool in the one on ones with the keeper.

[PeterWithesShin]

When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.

[Toronto Villa]

Gabby should be aiming for the World Cup now.  Play consistently, as has been mentioned, and just keep cool in the one on ones with the keeper.

I think we all feared what might happen at the end of that Sunderland game. He came through with flying colours so hopefully he's been working on that aspect of his play.

[Clampy]

When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.

His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team.  It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.

[dave.woodhall]

When you look at the *cough* quality *cough* of the England strikers making squads Gabby can definitely get in.

His place will go to someone like Defoe who can't get in the Spurs team.  It's the England way and arguably why we've not won anything since 1966.

"It was harder to be dropped from the England squad than it was to be selected for it in the first place." Alan Deakin.

[eamonn]

What I mean by that is, in the MON years he seemed to be getting better and better. He then regressed badly for a number of years, injuries taking their toll etc. Last year saw a marked improvement.

I think that's a bit harsh to be honest. At worst, he was off the boil for a few months in two separate seasons post-MON.
Even under MON he tended to score in spurts. He did ok in his call-ups to England but he never seemed overly bothered about international recognition and I think Capello got fed-up with him pulling out of squads.

He had a tough year with Houllier who wasn't keen on his muscular physique:

He’s shown that in terms of speed and goalscoring he has qualities of a high level,” said Houllier. “Unfortunately for him, his injuries have set him back.

“When you build up too much it affects your joints and muscle. The fact is, I think he should stop, he’s too stocky.

“The Gabby Agbonlahor I saw when I was watching TV in France was different from what I see here. He was thinner, more wiry and wow, quick. So, I’ve told him to lay off the weights.”

Heskey was his golden boy for the big, target-man role. And he also had big John Carew, though he obviously wasn't too keen on him. But Gabby still popped up with some crucial goals that season like the winner at West Ham which effectively sent them down and helped keep us up. He started off the McLeish season blisteringly well - check the season review for his goals and assists against Blackburn and Wigan at the start of the season. A real noticeable change in strength and power to go with the pace.

Long-term I think his bulking-up has paid off - he has a brilliant knack for holding defenders off and drawing a foul from them - he does it at least a handful of times each match. Sometimes it's frustrating as he seems more keen on enticing the defender than concentrating on the ball but it works more often than not. Facing goal he still has that direct, speedy style that's enough for defenders to shit bricks as witnessed on Sat but when the pace goes I think his frame will make him a decent option as a central-striker in his 30's.