Stiliyan Petrov - update

[nick harper]

It's a lovely story...I just don't think it's realistic to see him play in a proper game again.

He's been away for 4 years and is 37 in two weeks so I'd be highly surprised if we re-sign him as a player.

No issue at all with getting him properly involved in the coaching staff though.

I wouldn't write him off Soccer. He has clearly made it his mission and if he can reach the levels of fitness required, from a technical perspective his ability is unquestioned, especially a step down the premier league. There would be a lot of fans with grit in their eyes if he was on the pitch again.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't think the club would be engaging in this as a PR stunt. They will have checked thoroughly that Stan is able to participate just from a liability standpoint as much as anything else. If he can prove his fitness which arguably may be better than the other players next week, we all know the man can play, then he has a proper chance to play a significant role this season. He doesn't have to play every game so there's no pressure there either. It's a long season, and Stan being part of the squad will be massive.

[supertom]

If it happens it'll be fantastic. I'll be emotional enough just seeing Stan turn out in a friendly. If he plays professionally again it's going to be emotional. Stan is an absolute class act.

[Dave Cooper please]

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?

[OCD]

He's been working on his fitness for some time and has said he feels as fit now as he did before he was ill. He's not been reliant on pace in his Villa career, he can sit as the holding player in front of the defence and use his communication/leadership skills on the pitch. He has a footballer's brain so his positional sense will help a lot. Should we expect to rely on him? No. He can potentially play a significant role though. We need a mixture of good older pro's and younger lads. There's also an argument that having had time away from the game could actually be beneficial. Some players have longer careers because they started later.

[Jimbo]

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?

That's my dream scenario too.

[Ron Manager]

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?

That's my dream scenario too.

That would be ideal.

[eamonn]

Yes, even if he doesn't regain the necessary fitness required, coming on against Small Heath at the end of April when we're 3-0 up and about to be crowned Champions would do nicely.

[SoccerHQ]

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?

That's my dream scenario too.

Oh tears for sure.

I'd have been welling up if Bouma had ever played for us again and he only got a broken leg.

It still bugs me MON never gave him 10 minutes of the Blackburn game on last day of 2009-10 season considering he'd been fit for most of that year.

Stan coming back would be on another level for obvious reasons.

In fairness I'm probably being unfair as I'm judging it on players coming in who can play 40 + times a season and obviously that would be too much.

It is possible he can manage games here and there if he can prove his fitness in pre season.

[ciggiesnbeer]

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.

[Villa in Denmark]

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?

[Pete3206]

So where's the problem?

Absolutely.

[ciggiesnbeer]

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.

[Gregorys Boy]

Either way I see this as a postive.  If Stan does play and gets a few games then you can see him making a difference for us in certain games, but even he doesn't play his presence in around the squad should have a postive effect.

[CT]

Unlike previous managers, RDM comes in with no commitment in any way to Stan.

If he gets a one year contract, he's earned it.

Stan is a truly inspirational man.