The USA Tour Thread

[UK Redsox]

Gabby should now be nothing more than an impact sub.

[Gregorys Boy]

I did say that a few years ago about Gabby but just got stick from everyone, so live and learn kids

Anyway, pretty crap match, our best spell was for about ten minutes following the goal, apart from that we were pretty useless and if they had a better delivery or more up front they could have won the game.  Also, the communtry was far worse than the other night.

Steer did what he had to do, and is one of the only ones who will really benefit from this trip.  Grealish again looked impressive, Senderoes not bad, and after that I am struggling. 

[paul_e]

I thought Weimann had a good first half, he was held back by nzog and gabby offering very little.

[Jockey Randall]

Gabby should now be nothing more than an impact sub.

I'd happily play him against the top 6 teams at home who should all come and attack us. I'd also play him in away games. He's usually a passenger against anyone that sits back against us though.

[silhillvilla]

Is it let's have a pop at Gabby day or something 

[Clampy]

Is it let's have a pop at Gabby day or something 

hmm.

[N'ZMAV]

Herd is not a centre half, not in a million years. As for midfield, i'd like to see Clark given a go in there.

When he was picked in midfield under AM people wanted him at the back. I agree though, he doesn't seem cut out for centre back.

[eamonn]

Is there a highlights link for this ?

[dr.chekov]

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[Legion]

Thanks.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Best pic of the trip (just links to avoid spam)

Kozak & Tekkers in light training.

http://i2.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article7486346.ece/alternates/s2197/Libor-Kozak-and-Christian-Benteke-are-put-through-there-paces.jpg

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/updated-more-aston-villa-pictures-7483728

[Mister E]

The thing with our midfield is, that it gets sliced through too easily. We've often needed a holding player in there to offer some protection to our defence. Unfortunately the only player in our squad currently, who can do that is Herd. He did okay there under McLeish, in as much as he showed plenty of energy and disrupted the opposition. So in that regard I see why some advocate playing him in midfield, to allow players like Delph and Westy to have more freedom to express themselves.
That said, he is a poor player, and he doesn't seem to have quite the same brimming enthusiasm he had 3 years ago when he was last more of a regular in the side. Obviously off field problems have been an issue.

It is clear as day though, that we need a quality player in midfield who can mop up the mess, but is comfortable on the ball with it.

I think that is a good assessment, Tom.

[olaftab]

Gabby with less pace will have little to offer at top level.

I think sadly we have reached that point.

[peter w]

I don't. I'm still fully behind Gabby and used right he is still an asset to us.

[silhillvilla]

Alan Hutton with jet lag could be an interesting spectacle Wednesday night. Wouldn't want to be the winger going into any 50 : 50 's .