Gabby

[cdbearsfan]

You can go reasonably far in football having blistering pace and not a fat lot else. Houllier, in his infinite wisdom, decided to get Gabby to bulk up, negating his one main quality, and he's been pretty fucking atrocious ever since.

At least Weimann runs about and, occasionally, puts a dangerous cross into the box, one of few Villa players who is capable of doing so.

Agbonlahor contributes precisely fuck all, week in, week out.

[passitsideways]

I don't think the bulking up had anything to do with Houllier, given that he only arrived in September, and I'm pretty sure a lot was said during the summer about Gabby hitting the weight room.

[supertom]

I don't think the bulking up had anything to do with Houllier, given that he only arrived in September, and I'm pretty sure a lot was said during the summer about Gabby hitting the weight room.

Bulking up was down to Gabby himself. O Neill was fine with him doing it (he probably didn't give a shit either way by the end of his last season here).
Houllier actually wanted him to slim down again. This was a big part of the reason why Gabby wasn't a regular for Houllier and why Gabby was glad to see the back of Houllier, much like other bad apples at the club. To be honest I'm not sure I could call Gabby a positive influence any more. He's coasted on being good but not great for O Neill, with the odd spectacular game. The lack of effort, particularly for someone who is supposed to be "one of us" is a fucking disgrace.

But certainly Houllier publically claimed that Gabby wasn't the player he was because of the weights, and indeed did he not say something about it probably contributing to injuries? I might be embelishing. But Houllier certainly didn't rate a beefy Gabby.

[Ron Manager]

I don't think the bulking up had anything to do with Houllier, given that he only arrived in September, and I'm pretty sure a lot was said during the summer about Gabby hitting the weight room.

Bulking up was down to Gabby himself. O Neill was fine with him doing it (he probably didn't give a shit either way by the end of his last season here).
Houllier actually wanted him to slim down again. This was a big part of the reason why Gabby wasn't a regular for Houllier and why Gabby was glad to see the back of Houllier, much like other bad apples at the club. To be honest I'm not sure I could call Gabby a positive influence any more. He's coasted on being good but not great for O Neill, with the odd spectacular game. The lack of effort, particularly for someone who is supposed to be "one of us" is a fucking disgrace.

But certainly Houllier publically claimed that Gabby wasn't the player he was because of the weights, and indeed did he not say something about it probably contributing to injuries? I might be embelishing. But Houllier certainly didn't rate a beefy Gabby.

Thats exactly as I remember it as well. Agbonlahor stated he was sick of being pushed around by John Terry and players of that ilk and bulked up. Houllier called it right.

[supertom]

I don't think the bulking up had anything to do with Houllier, given that he only arrived in September, and I'm pretty sure a lot was said during the summer about Gabby hitting the weight room.

Bulking up was down to Gabby himself. O Neill was fine with him doing it (he probably didn't give a shit either way by the end of his last season here).
Houllier actually wanted him to slim down again. This was a big part of the reason why Gabby wasn't a regular for Houllier and why Gabby was glad to see the back of Houllier, much like other bad apples at the club. To be honest I'm not sure I could call Gabby a positive influence any more. He's coasted on being good but not great for O Neill, with the odd spectacular game. The lack of effort, particularly for someone who is supposed to be "one of us" is a fucking disgrace.

But certainly Houllier publically claimed that Gabby wasn't the player he was because of the weights, and indeed did he not say something about it probably contributing to injuries? I might be embelishing. But Houllier certainly didn't rate a beefy Gabby.

Thats exactly as I remember it as well. Agbonlahor stated he was sick of being pushed around by John Terry and players of that ilk and bulked up. Houllier called it right.

The last year or two I think it's gone further. He's carrying too much timber that he doesn't need. I wonder if he's not even working as hard at the gym. It looks like pie weight to me.

[Fin Feds Dad]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3817303/Gabby-Agbonlahor-says-Gerard-Houllier-talked-a-load-of-nonsense.html

Houllier called it right - Gabby didn't like it.

Sounds like Keane called him out too - and he didn't like that either.

[ktvillan]

Gabby has got away with murder because he's a local lad and scored against some of the Sky 4, Blues, and Albion and in some relegation avoiding crunchers (e.g the win at West Ham a couple of seasons ago).  Crucial goals yes, but another player with a better all round game and footballing nous, playing instead of Gabby, is probably just as likely to have scored as many crucial goals and done a lot more besides, and done it over a whole season rather than in short spurts.  Which is why I've never been a fan of Gabby.  He is either lazy or lacks concentration or both - see how he lost his man to cost us points against both Spurs and Southampton at home.  He's certainly not captain material , and it's quite laughable that Lambert thought he was.  Weimann may be limited too, but his movement is light years ahead of Gabby's - only for his touch and composure to then often let him down.  I don't think Gabby would have lasted at the top level at any other club and it's way beyond time for us to move on from him.

[Ron Manager]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3817303/Gabby-Agbonlahor-says-Gerard-Houllier-talked-a-load-of-nonsense.html

Houllier called it right - Gabby didn't like it.

Sounds like Keane called him out too - and he didn't like that either.

and who is still there with a sparkling new contract in his pocket?.......that's right!

[cdbearsfan]

Ah, ok. Well regardless of whose idea it was, bulking up was a shite idea.

[supertom]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3817303/Gabby-Agbonlahor-says-Gerard-Houllier-talked-a-load-of-nonsense.html

Houllier called it right - Gabby didn't like it.

Sounds like Keane called him out too - and he didn't like that either.

What I will say Lambert got right was quickly identifying the bad apples and getting rid of them. The likes of Warnock, Collins and Dunne had to go really. I think Gabby has been fortunate not to get moved on too. It seems anytime someone comes in and upsets senior players (quite rightly in many cases) Gabby's normally one of those involved. It's like John Terry at Chelsea, although Gabby hasn't earned the right to be swanning round like club mafia. Terry might be a complete fox hunt but he's been consistent for donkey's years and lead the club to trophies.

[SoccerHQ]

He's had his day now, idioctic we gave him a new 4 year deal.

[supertom]

Ah, ok. Well regardless of whose idea it was, bulking up was a shite idea.

Indeed. He went from playing almost every game to becoming pretty injury prone. It's got to the point now too that he's not actually that quick anymore. Even compared to 7-8 years ago, fullbacks tend to be quicker now, and many CH's, so he can't roast people like he used to.
He doesn't show much desire to either. Even Hutton yesterday knocked it round his opposite fullback at one point and left him for dead. But I also reckon Gabby doesn't have it in his tank to make too many of the barnstorming run's of yesteryear. He's rationing them. He's done at this level.

[ktvillan]

For him to be blaming Houllier for damaging his England chances is funny.  No Gabby, your England chances were hampered by your lack of ability at anything but running very fast and occasionally getting a goal. Even England a their worst did not really linger too long over Gabby as a possible answer, and there are very good reasons for that.

[mr underhill]

he's a busted flush now but not the only one. The only thing interesting about Gabby is how the fuck he conned a four year deal out of the club. There must be a story there somewhere.

[pbavfckuwait]

Gabby read "Just not good enough, now and for the last 2 or 3 years", if we cant get rid ensure he knows he can be the first member of the new bomb squad, bye bye .