Fabian Delph - Signed for Manchester City

[Percy McCarthy]

I always believed in the lad (mind you, I believed in Stefano Irlanda too), so I'm delighted he's finally strung a run of games together where he's consistently been one of the best players on the pitch.

He had one horror injury, only really got a decent run under McLeish prior to now and struggled a bit for form. Though in fairness he did allow Petrov license to get forward and score a few goals that season. He then went back to Leeds on-loan where he didn't pull up many trees, picked-up another lengthy injury and I think there were quotes from him at the time saying he would welcome a move back there.

But there were occasional sparks of quality - his debut in that friendly against Fiorentina, one FA Cup game against Brighton where he scored a belter, another against Blackburn when he was playing wide-left and put through an absolute stunner of a ball which had H&Vers groaning in ecstacy. Just enough there to be deemed worth persevering with.

He's our second-longest serving player after Gabby, so I hope he's grown to love it here as we will be batting off other clubs if he keeps up this form. Also very good value in interviews. No boring, press officer approved answers - check out his last one on avtv about teaching Tony Moon swear words in English like he used to with Carlos the Jackal or the time he stayed in a haunted hotel in Brum after signing for us. The self-proclaimed gobbiest one in the squad but that will stand us in good stead as we "bully" our way into the Champs League. I like the way he physically raged at a free-kick awarded against him last night. He will have to watch the bookings but it's a bit of a relief that they are now more likely for dissent than for lunging into challenges. Our most important midfielder without question.

Great post Eamonn. The memory of that Brighton  performance always  gave me faith/hope that he would make it.

[not3bad]

Being played out of position has also hampered him.

[not3bad]

If The Gnasher had not been banned, he would be getting some serious stick about The Delphster, and no mistake.

The late Malcolm Everall was also keen to put down Delph, because he'd been brought in by MON.  Possibly Greg's motivation was similar?

[Dave]

...another against Blackburn when he was playing wide-left and put through an absolute stunner of a ball which had H&Vers groaning in ecstacy.

Was that the game when he was stuck in at left-back in the second half?

If so, I can still remember it now, cut inside their winger - played a curling ball with the outside of his foot taking out their right-back into the path of (I assume Gabby) who didn't really do much with it.

But if that's what you're talking about, it was gorgeous.

[adrenachrome]

If The Gnasher had not been banned, he would be getting some serious stick about The Delphster, and no mistake.

The late Malcolm Everall was also keen to put down Delph, because he'd been brought in by MON.  Possibly Greg's motivation was similar?

I think so.

[PeterWithesShin]

Risso wasn't a fan either. He was the one who said he was the worst player to ever wear a Villa shirt.

[john e]

you would only have to go back to match threads of the first half of last season to see posts about Delph of 'should never wear the villa shirt again' and 'championship player at best'

you know who you are

[Toronto Villa]

Risso wasn't a fan either. He was the one who said he was the worst player to ever wear a Villa shirt.

I hope Risso's enjoying our start in amongst his seemingly continuous bursts of anger.

[eamonn]

...another against Blackburn when he was playing wide-left and put through an absolute stunner of a ball which had H&Vers groaning in ecstacy.

Was that the game when he was stuck in at left-back in the second half?

If so, I can still remember it now, cut inside their winger - played a curling ball with the outside of his foot taking out their right-back into the path of (I assume Gabby) who didn't really do much with it.

But if that's what you're talking about, it was gorgeous.

That's the one.

I remember there was talk afterwards on here that perhaps left full-back was where we could get the best out of him (can't remember if Shorey or Warnock were number one choice there at the time). 

[Matt Collins]

Funny how many people here have always rated him.

About a year ago the consensus seemed to be that he was hopeless, or worse.

Hmmmm

[Clampy]

Funny how many people here have always rated him.

About a year ago the consensus seemed to be that he was hopeless, or worse.

Hmmmm

There were a few people writing off KEA last season as well. I know the jury will still be out but you just have to give some players time.

[eastie]

Funny how many people here have always rated him.

About a year ago the consensus seemed to be that he was hopeless, or worse.

Hmmmm

There were a few people writing off KEA last season as well. I know the jury will still be out but you just have to give some players time.

Indeed, i was one of those who wrote off kea but my word he has been superb in the opening two games , if he keeps this form going he will prove to be a real asset.

There are a few players who have had stick for not performing ie, gabby, kea , Delph, Bennett but the players deserve credit for getting things back on track - all players will go through bad times and I'm delighted we have so many who are looking on form now.

[supertom]

Funny how many people here have always rated him.

About a year ago the consensus seemed to be that he was hopeless, or worse.

Hmmmm

There were a few people writing off KEA last season as well. I know the jury will still be out but you just have to give some players time.

Indeed, i was one of those who wrote off kea but my word he has been superb in the opening two games , if he keeps this form going he will prove to be a real asset.

There are a few players who have had stick for not performing ie, gabby, kea , Delph, Bennett but the players deserve credit for getting things back on track - all players will go through bad times and I'm delighted we have so many who are looking on form now.

I think it suits KEA to be in a midfield 3. It also suits him not to be the deep lying midfielder too. I think there's a good balance at the moment. There's going to be a good battle between Sylla and KEA. The good thing about KEA is that he's experienced. He's been there and done it at a high level for a few years now, and as an international too.

[Dr Butler]

when we signed Fabian a friend of mine who is a dirty Leeds fan told me he was the next "Gerrard" so after seeing him play a bit for the Villa I was abit underwhelmed by him.

but by god he is starting to show what he can do now ! and if he can weigh in with 8/10 goals then he might find himself as an outside chance for  Rio in the summer....

UTV

[eastie]

Delph was unlucky not to score last week , once he gets his first i think a few will follow - will be pleased if he gets 5 or 6 goals as that is something lacking from midfield.