Stiliyan Petrov - update

[FatSam]

I've been to Montana, and I already knew that anyone who came from there like him, and has gone on to have the career that he has, must have serious determination. I've got nothing but respect for him.

[wittonwarrior]

Even one cameo performance as a sub would be the highlight for most supporters.  I  can't stop to admire just how brave  and determined  our No 19 is. 

Whatever the outcome and wherever this leads  then Stiliyan you are on the top table in our Hall of Fame.

[Salsa Party Animal]

we will have to see how he got on pre season matches first.

[OCD]

Didn't pre-season training start today? I've not seen any photos on the OS.

[mike]

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

He was crap for quite a while and got stick, stuck at it and was massively popular by the time he was ill... is my recollection.

[VancouverLion]

Just imagine how inspiring it will be for the rest of the squad seeing Stan in full training gear raring to go first day back, fairytale stuff.

[tony scott]

I remember lots of fans criticizing Stan for sideways passing, however as soon as he left our midfield we struggled, and Imho we haven't had a decent midfield since.  I really hope he give us a good season.

[Witton Warrior]

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

He was crap for quite a while and got stick, stuck at it and was massively popular by the time he was ill... is my recollection.

He did the usual "takes a season to get used to the Premier League" thing and then started to make the midfield tick while nicking some decent goals as well. He was very popular before it was known he was ill (although people had noticed he sweated like an 'oss)

[godzvilla]

Didn't pre-season training start today? I've not seen any photos on the OS.

The Players report back tomorrow, Wednesday, ( all those who,ve not on International duty ). Yesterday was the first official day at Bodymoor for RDM & and his team.............Godzvilla!

[wittonwarrior]

Just imagine how inspiring it will be for the rest of the squad seeing Stan in full training gear raring to go first day back, fairytale stuff.

For any other squad of players you are spot  on - here you are talking about brain dead zombies such as Richards and Lescott. 

But notwithstanding my crash  comment - all the best  in the world Stan

[passitsideways]

I remember lots of fans criticizing Stan for sideways passing, however as soon as he left our midfield we struggled, and Imho we haven't had a decent midfield since.  I really hope he give us a good season.

Honestly, our midfield was pretty rubbish from the moment Milner left, but I get your point. IIRC, a lot of people were noting probably sometime in 2010 about how Stan's legs were starting to go, but then he made adjustments to his game and was our best player during the TSM season before he got leukaemia.

[supertom]

I remember lots of fans criticizing Stan for sideways passing, however as soon as he left our midfield we struggled, and Imho we haven't had a decent midfield since.  I really hope he give us a good season.

Honestly, our midfield was pretty rubbish from the moment Milner left, but I get your point. IIRC, a lot of people were noting probably sometime in 2010 about how Stan's legs were starting to go, but then he made adjustments to his game and was our best player during the TSM season before he got leukaemia.

He scored a few goals and was becoming more effective going forward under TSM. We really missed him when he had to stop. After his first year, I thought he was very good under O Neill. He kept things ticking over. 7/10 most weeks and read the game very well. For some, because he came with such a great goal record at Celtic he was expected to score more, but I don't think he had the pace or quickness of feet to be as effective in the Prem as the SPL, which is why O Neill turned him into a deep lying midfielder. That said I do think O Neill took a little too much freedom away from Stan.

[sid1964]

Hope the guy is ok, but for me I would not have him at our club, it is time to give younger lads ago in midfield such as Gardner not have him blocking there progress

If I remember rightly, before his dreadful illness, he had probably 1 decent season, and also certainly under O'Neill he was not a fans favourite, he was booed off the pitch and heavily criticized on here

But we all have rose tinted glasses on with certain players.

[andyh]

Hope the guy is ok, but for me I would not have him at our club, it is time to give younger lads ago in midfield such as Gardner not have him blocking there progress

If I remember rightly, before his dreadful illness, he had probably 1 decent season, and also certainly under O'Neill he was not a fans favourite, he was booed off the pitch and heavily criticized on here

But we all have rose tinted glasses on with certain players.

One of the biggest failings of the club (on the pitch) for the last 2 years or so has been the complete lack of leadership and inspiration.
The team has not had a captain of worth a 'piece of piss' since Stan stopped playing.

Even if the bloke doesn't kick a ball in anger next season, to have a true leader in the changing room will be a massive improvement on recent times.     

[croatian]

Hope the guy is ok, but for me I would not have him at our club, it is time to give younger lads ago in midfield such as Gardner not have him blocking there progress

If I remember rightly, before his dreadful illness, he had probably 1 decent season, and also certainly under O'Neill he was not a fans favourite, he was booed off the pitch and heavily criticized on here

But we all have rose tinted glasses on with certain players.

One of the biggest failings of the club (on the pitch) for the last 2 years or so has been the complete lack of leadership and inspiration.
The team has not had a captain of worth a 'piece of piss' since Stan stopped playing.

Even if the bloke doesn't kick a ball in anger next season, to have a true leader in the changing room will be a massive improvement on recent times.     

100% correct.