Stiliyan Petrov - update

[The Edge]

Thanks to Stan (and Rudy the other day) for a much needed good news story. We could do with some of this attitude rubbing off on other players.  Having some of this loyalty to the club, professional pride, and obviously hurting that we are in this situation. I wish him every success.

It's what we desperately need. His attitude and his dedication is sorely missing. It would make a fantastic story if he can achieve his ambition. Also after hearing about Rudys off field behaviour I for one would be happy for the club to give him a chance to win the fans over next season. We need some decent people around the club right now.

[The Edge]

surely he was struggling due to his condition being not being diagnosed at the time .. ?

APPLAUSE!!! great point.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

Short memories people have, I like Petrov a great team man and always gave one hundred percent but I remember him struggling to get past sixty minutes of game time and his lack of pace was telling. That was three years ago.

this

[The Edge]

surely he was struggling due to his condition being not being diagnosed at the time .. ?

APPLAUSE!!! great point.

This

[croatian]

Short memories people have, I like Petrov a great team man and always gave one hundred percent but I remember him struggling to get past sixty minutes of game time and his lack of pace was telling. That was three years ago.

I remember the complaints about his fitness towards the end of games.
I suspect he was dying of un-diagnosed leukaemia  at the time.

[The Edge]

Short memories people have, I like Petrov a great team man and always gave one hundred percent but I remember him struggling to get past sixty minutes of game time and his lack of pace was telling. That was three years ago.

I remember the complaints about his fitness towards the end of games.
I suspect he was dying of un-diagnosed leukaemia  at the time.

You mate have just nailed it.

[Leicester_Villian]

I for one hope there is NO comeback for Stan ...... I wish to remember him as the player he was and when he didn't perform neither did Villa

I would hate to see the image tarnished by not being able to cut it with us - he is 36 I think so a midfielder at that age would mainly find the going tough

We love Stan and lets keep him as a hero

[Big Dick Edwards]

We've got to be careful not to let misty-eyed romanticism cloud our thinking here. I know someone who plays in that same league Stan is playing in and I'm told he's carrying excess weight and isn't particularly standing out. Add to that Stan will be 37 during the next season, not having played top level football for four years. While I would love to think this proposed comeback would be hugely successful, we've got to be realistic.

[Pete3206]

To add to the above, would the new manager even consider it?

[martin o`who??]

Thirty-seven, ex Leukaemia sufferer, out of top flight football for four years - sorry I cannot see any plus points to this idea for anyone other than the fact I'm pleased for Stan that he's got into a position where he can even consider the idea.

[PeterWithe]

We've got to be careful not to let misty-eyed romanticism cloud our thinking here. I know someone who plays in that same league Stan is playing in and I'm told he's carrying excess weight and isn't particularly standing out. Add to that Stan will be 37 during the next season, not having played top level football for four years. While I would love to think this proposed comeback would be hugely successful, we've got to be realistic.

Whilst I, regrettably, agree with the summation, I've seen him play and whilst he is/was much larger than he used to be, he stood out a mile, even with other younger ex pros on the field, as you'd expect.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I wish him well in his dream to play. But obviously not at Aston Villa. I think thats best for everyone.

[croatian]

We've got to be careful not to let misty-eyed romanticism cloud our thinking here. I know someone who plays in that same league Stan is playing in and I'm told he's carrying excess weight and isn't particularly standing out. Add to that Stan will be 37 during the next season, not having played top level football for four years. While I would love to think this proposed comeback would be hugely successful, we've got to be realistic.

Whilst I, regrettably, agree with the summation, I've seen him play and whilst he is/was much larger than he used to be, he stood out a mile, even with other younger ex pros on the field, as you'd expect.

Possibly prescribed steroids causing the bulk. Quite normal. It'll go.

[Mister E]

As a figurehead it's great, let's get him around the dressing room next year. As a player, not so sure.

About what? - unless you're on his medical team or the club's coaching staff how can you possibly have an opinion about his potential as a player?!

Why cant I have an opinion on it, if we were discussing signing Micheal Owen I'd have the same doubts given his age and time out of the game, and he hasn't gone through what Stan has.

Its fine to have an opinion, and I apologise if my post seemed overly-opinionated.
What I meant, though, was that it is impossible for anyone outside of his team of experts to adjudge his potential for first class football. He may be extraordinary and come back ... He may not. If he is assessed to be both fit and capable enough, he will add something we've lacked for a while: cool, intelligent and dynamic defensive midfield play; and leadership for the youngsters I hope will be playing next season.

[brian green]

If we had a really smart manager or failing that a manager, the obvious solution is a body double.  Let the opposing teams actually think we are playing Stylian (like El Cid strapped in his saddle with his flag on his lance).  They will shit their pants, refuse to tackle him but it will really be Lyden in a fat suit.  Crowd will be in floods of tears.  Sub body double, bring on Stylian to rapturous applause at the final whistle.  Simples.