Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[supertom]

Re: N'Zogbia - it's amazing how people's opinions of a player change when they're not in the first team for a long time. I still remember him as a frustrating player who kept their head down and always tried to take it past one too many players before giving the ball away and then not chasing back. A very over-rated player who was bought at great cost because of one good spell where he helped Wigan to survival. Hardly worth pinning all your hopes on.

I think it's probably the promise of what he's capable of on his day. Very talented player but the application has rarely ever been there unfortunately. He can do the utterly sublime, but of course, as we've seen, and every other club bar 6 months at Wigan, he doesn't do it with any sort of consistency.
That said there've been games this season where we've been crying out for a bit of potential, unexpected quality which too few of our squad can produce. Technically he's very good. The ball sticks to his feet. He's frustrating though, you know what he can do, but like when we had Ginola we only got very brief glimpses.

Bar Benteke he's possibly the best footballer at the club.

I definitely wouldn't put him in the better when he's out the side category like Cueller for example. Who lets face it, really was a bit gash. 

[Matt C]

It's probably about here someone should bring up Reo-Coker.

[Mister E]

I was agreeing with SH's opinion that Charles N'Zogbia is probably history as a Villa player.

I think this is right - I, for one, have always been critical of N'Zog: not for his ability but for his application. And it's that last bit which will signal Lambert's offloading of him if at all possible.

[Malandro]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

[supertom]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

That's true.
We've rarely been able to afford the double whammy of immense talent, and great work ethic. Sadly those players cost an absolute fortune. Some of the mercurial "talents" we've had over the years have been immensely disappointing. Just thinking back to Curcic, Collymore, Ginola, Hadji and Zogbia to name a few. Oh and Gustavo Bartelt of course! Ha ha.
As bobbins as Heskey was I have a certain fondness for him because he always tried hard.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Apparently we wanted Holtby but he was out of price range. So he went to Fulham.

[Steve67]

Hotlby has struggled to get into their side hasn't he?

[saunders_heroes]

Apparently we wanted Holtby but he was out of price range. So he went to Fulham.

Couldn't afford his wages. Oh dear!

[curiousorange]

Apparently we wanted Holtby but he was out of price range. So he went to Fulham.

Couldn't afford his wages. Oh dear!

He has been their best player this season by a mile, but a fat lot of good it did them.

[Toronto Villa]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

I look at Cuellar, and then I look at Luna and wonder how we could have ended up with the only two Spanish players on the planet with zero technical ability, in an era where they all seem to have great technical ability.

[ozzjim]

Apparently we wanted Holtby but he was out of price range. So he went to Fulham.

Couldn't afford his wages. Oh dear!

He is on a huge wedge though, as he was going there on a bosman but Spurs paid a million to take him in Jan instead. Must be 75k a week plus.

[supertom]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

I look at Cuellar, and then I look at Luna and wonder how we could have ended up with the only two Spanish players on the planet with zero technical ability, in an era where they all seem to have great technical ability.

I've often wondered this too. I can't wait for us to one day sign Brazils answer to Nigel Reo Coker.

[DrGonzo]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

I look at Cuellar, and then I look at Luna and wonder how we could have ended up with the only two Spanish players on the planet with zero technical ability, in an era where they all seem to have great technical ability.

I've often wondered this too. I can't wait for us to one day sign Brazils answer to Nigel Reo Coker.

Wasn't Brazil's answer to NRC "No, thanks, you're alright" whilst sniggering into their 'kerchief?

[supertom]

I'll look back fondly on Cueller, not so with N'zogbia.

Carlos always gave his all.

I look at Cuellar, and then I look at Luna and wonder how we could have ended up with the only two Spanish players on the planet with zero technical ability, in an era where they all seem to have great technical ability.

I've often wondered this too. I can't wait for us to one day sign Brazils answer to Nigel Reo Coker.

Wasn't Brazil's answer to NRC "No, thanks, you're alright" whilst sniggering into their 'kerchief?

It was probably Inter and AC Milans answer too.

[supertom]

I would say on todays evidence (not that we needed any further indication) 5-6 decent players need to be bought. Our first 11 isn't good enough as is, but the squad is very poor. No strength in depth whatsoever.