Stiliyan Petrov - update

[JD]

A ten minute cameo on the last day of the season and then let him pick up the Championship trophy afterwards.

How emotional would that be?

I've got dust in my eyes already Dave. That would make up for the past few years and it would all be forgotten. It would redefine Villa (again).

[ROBBO]

No one has looked at the possible downside, what if he does play and he fails dismally?  he is a Villa hero and that's the way I want to remember him.

[SheffieldVillain]

No one has looked at the possible downside, what if he does play and he fails dismally?  he is a Villa hero and that's the way I want to remember him.

Then he has still fought back from a life threatening illness to be fit enough to play at the (second) highest level of football. That's a win, however he plays.

[JD]

Hello Robbo, haven't caught up with you for a while.

There is that as well. I would only want him on the playing squad if he had something to contribute. If he doesn't make the grade, it may be a master stroke by RDM just to have him around the club and offering encouragement. 

[mattjpa]

I guess I am a party pooper. I just think its a very bad idea. His age, playing position, out of the game time, let alone health issues make it obviously absurd he could contribute in any meaningful way at the Championship level. As for the token gesture, well there are better ways to do that that.

This is a well meaning distraction but we cant really afford distractions right now, we need to be focusing on players who genuinely can compete for us and help win matches.

First misstep by RDM, hopefully he will change things around before the season starts and abandon this notion.

He's been given the chance to take part in pre season to try and prove his fitness and worth.

If he can claim a contract and a squad place then he's done it on merit.
If he can't demonstrate his worth then he won't get a contract. I can't see RDM giving him a contract as a sop. He's got too much riding on next season already.

So where's the problem?

Fair point, no problem beyond a mildy awkward conversation with RDM when the inevitable becomes obvious. I would sooner RDM and the club were focused on players who will actually play for us at a competitive level. Stan won't. I am not going to sugar coat that with "lets hope I am wrong" or "fingers crossed for a surprise" because it is just not going to happen. 37 year old Leukemia survivors do not play competitive Championship football in midfield. Thats just an unwelcome fact.

I like Stan obviously, but this is not going to work. In a coaching role, for darn sure, I would love to see that work out, and it could, but not this.

Life and sport are littered with extraordinary people that have achieved brilliant things despite being told they cant. The fact that we are even discussing this shows the determination of the man and that in itself should be applauded but given where he was and where he is now, I would'nt bet against him becoming the first 37 year old Leukemia survivor to  play competitive Championship football in midfield. Good luck Stan, if you get 5 more minutes on the pitch it will be worth it in my eyes

[aj2k77]

I'd be amazed if Stan can still physically hack playing level 2 football. He's 36 and hasn't played properly for 4 years. It's a nice sentiment and all but realistically, emotion aside and football head on, I don't think he'll be able to do it.

[Chris Smith]

I'd be amazed if Stan can still physically hack playing level 2 football. He's 36 and hasn't played properly for 4 years. It's a nice sentiment and all but realistically, emotion aside and football head on, I don't think he'll be able to do it.

Well if he can't I am sure he will be the first to realise and will make the decision himself but I would not put it past him to prove people wrong.

[KevinGage]

I'd be amazed if Stan can still physically hack playing level 2 football. He's 36 and hasn't played properly for 4 years. It's a nice sentiment and all but realistically, emotion aside and football head on, I don't think he'll be able to do it.

I doubt it too.  But if he gets his fitness up enough to play reserve games and perhaps the odd 5/10 minute cameo at the tail end of some Championship games, the decision will still have some merit, particularly with our current lack of leadership around BH. More than that would be a miracle, but it is a miracle that we are even talking about any sort of comeback at all.

He was visibly knackered from the 60 minute mark from about 2010 in the top flight. The aging process and his illness won't have improved his stamina, if you want to be brutal.  It's highly unlikely we could get enough out of him to dictate games. But as someone to come on for the last 5-10 minutes to close out a game by keeping possession, he's cute enough upstairs to be able to do that, I reckon.

[Toronto Villa]

I'd be amazed if Stan can still physically hack playing level 2 football. He's 36 and hasn't played properly for 4 years. It's a nice sentiment and all but realistically, emotion aside and football head on, I don't think he'll be able to do it.

Between him and Gabby who do you think will be fitter on day one? He doesn't have to play every game. And the club won't be risking it from a liability standpoint, so any decision won't be made with sentiment in mind. It will be purely business which I am sure Stan understands. If he gets in it will be purely on merit.

[Clark W Griswold]

If he can get his fitness ok then he'll be fine, I don't see any other reason why not. I'm thinking he'll at least get a squad place and play a bit part but that's fine because some players will have to do that anyway.

[mike]

I guess I am a party pooper. I just think its a very bad idea. His age, playing position, out of the game time, let alone health issues make it obviously absurd he could contribute in any meaningful way at the Championship level. As for the token gesture, well there are better ways to do that that.

This is a well meaning distraction but we cant really afford distractions right now, we need to be focusing on players who genuinely can compete for us and help win matches.

First misstep by RDM, hopefully he will change things around before the season starts and abandon this notion.

He's been given the chance to take part in pre season to try and prove his fitness and worth.

If he can claim a contract and a squad place then he's done it on merit.
If he can't demonstrate his worth then he won't get a contract. I can't see RDM giving him a contract as a sop. He's got too much riding on next season already.

So where's the problem?

Fair point, no problem beyond a mildy awkward conversation with RDM when the inevitable becomes obvious. I would sooner RDM and the club were focused on players who will actually play for us at a competitive level. Stan won't. I am not going to sugar coat that with "lets hope I am wrong" or "fingers crossed for a surprise" because it is just not going to happen. 37 year old Leukemia survivors do not play competitive Championship football in midfield. Thats just an unwelcome fact.

I like Stan obviously, but this is not going to work. In a coaching role, for darn sure, I would love to see that work out, and it could, but not this.

I can't see what RDM has done wrong. He hasn't made him any promises as far as I can see. He's given Petrov a chance to prove himself or maybe just a chance to do something that makes him feel good, either of which he deserves, and not just because he's Stan. Likewise, I can't see that Stan is demanding or expecting anything beyond either a shot at proving himself or a chance to feel what it's like being back at a competitive football club. I will feel fantastic if it works out. I don't expect it will, in which case I will bear RDM no malice.

[Nastylee]

This isn't just about Villa, it's about proving his fitness for himself and potentially putting himself in the shop window for whatever level he can cope with. Villa would be his dream but I'm sure he is realistic enough to realise he might be in the Evo-Stick league or whatever. We're giving him an opportunity in familiar surroundings.

[The_ads]

Do you not think the profusely sweating knackered look was as a result of the ticking timebomb of Leukemia lurking?

I'd be amazed if Stan can still physically hack playing level 2 football. He's 36 and hasn't played properly for 4 years. It's a nice sentiment and all but realistically, emotion aside and football head on, I don't think he'll be able to do it.

I doubt it too.  But if he gets his fitness up enough to play reserve games and perhaps the odd 5/10 minute cameo at the tail end of some Championship games, the decision will still have some merit, particularly with our current lack of leadership around BH. More than that would be a miracle, but it is a miracle that we are even talking about any sort of comeback at all.

He was visibly knackered from the 60 minute mark from about 2010 in the top flight. The aging process and his illness won't have improved his stamina, if you want to be brutal.  It's highly unlikely we could get enough out of him to dictate games. But as someone to come on for the last 5-10 minutes to close out a game by keeping possession, he's cute enough upstairs to be able to do that, I reckon.

[The_ads]

What's ironic about all of this, is the fact Petrov was the the biggest scapegoat of our recent time.


Prove the detractors wrong Stan. Prove cancer sufferers can return to top class sport.

[KevinGage]

With the rigorous health tests that professional athletes are routinely subjected to, I'd like to think Stan didn't have Leukemia (early stages or no) two years before it was actually diagnosed.