Gabby - keep or let go

[OzVilla]

Delighted we won and glad he scored but it's his first goal in a year and it was an absolute howler from their keeper.

He needs to keep quiet, get his head down and back in up against 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'. Then he can start sending tweets like this out.

[Lastfootstamper]

Thing that impressed me most for the goal was that Gabby actually shaped his run to stay onside.

I actually said out loud, "no, you're offside...but now you're not, play it now, play it now, GO!!". He can do it, ffs just do it (a lot) more often.
EDIT: although it's questionable how much faith I had in him from that point then to bury it.

[MoetVillan]

I don't understand the hate for him. If you can honestly say you think he doesn't want to do well and for his club, then you are a better judge of character than me. I have always been a fan of him. We are moving past the days of one club players and I'm proud he was ours. If him tweeting every week is down to him scoring or setting up goals, that's fine with me.

[Stirchley Villain]

Gotta keep whatever as things stand...

[Villa in Denmark]

I don't understand the hate for him. If you can honestly say you think he doesn't want to do well and for his club, then you are a better judge of character than me. I have always been a fan of him. We are moving past the days of one club players and I'm proud he was ours. If him tweeting every week is down to him scoring or setting up goals, that's fine with me.

I don't think it's hate. It's exasperation with someone who has contributed next to nothing to our survival over the last few years, despite being "one of ours" and for the most part carrying himself like he couldn't care less.

Someone earlier said he plays better when he's the "main man." I'm wondering if he's either been sulking as first Bent then Benteke have been the main man, or if not being no 1 has really knocked his confidence.

[Dave]

If him tweeting every week is down to him scoring or setting up goals, that's fine with me.

I think that would be fine with everybody. It would just be nice if it were happening more than once every year.

[avfc_1874]

Too many false dawns with him. It still amazes me that he is our top scorer since football was invented in 1992.

[peter w]

Nice finish, mind.

[Villa in Denmark]

Too many false dawns with him. It still amazes me that he is our top scorer since football was invented in 1992.

Purely on time served. We've not had a truly prolific goalscorer in all that time that's hung around for more than 3 or 4 seasons.

Yorke I would guess is no 2 on the list, where most of his time with us was him developing and not always playing regularly. 1 more season and he'd have been our of sight.

Bent was the next chance, but was limited to 2 half seasons.

If we'd had 3 injury free seasons from Benteke, he'd have been somewhere close. I'd guess he's got the best strike rate since '92.

[D.boy]

Whilst heading south on the M5 near Bristol this afternoon I was overtaken by a Range Rover with registration number V1 GAB. I wondered if there was any connection to our Pilsbury?

[passport1]

I don't understand the hate for him. If you can honestly say you think he doesn't want to do well and for his club, then you are a better judge of character than me. I have always been a fan of him. We are moving past the days of one club players and I'm proud he was ours. If him tweeting every week is down to him scoring or setting up goals, that's fine with me.

I quite agree.He's just a scapegoat for the usual internet abuse. Injuries have certainly been an issue with him not to mention the poor teams he has had to play in over the past five years. It was interesting that Garde commented that yesterdays goal came from the type of pass he needs . Keep him fit and play to his strengths.

[PeterWithesShin]

He doesn't get much abuse, certainly not on here. He does however get criticised for being crap for most of the last 5 years. That was his first goal for 11 months, his second goal at VP since November 2014. He's on target for his 3rd straight season of picking up more more yellow cards than goals. If that kind of 'form' isn't worthy of criticism I don't what is.

[ozzjim]

It will be interesting if with a player like Veretout in the side, who can quite clearly pass a ball, Gabby keeps getting chances in games. Liverpool are genuinely awful at the back at times, so next week he should be up for it. If thinking the world hates him gets him going, then let him think it. Goes on a 5-6 game scoring run and we win 3-4 of them, good times. I won't hold my breath though.

[edgysatsuma89]

Gabby has far from been a scapegoat. In fact I think he has been fortunate not to get more stick. Him being fat isn't a myth either, he clearly is (for a pro footballer).

[ozzjim]

Oh he is carrying about a stone and a half. He has got love handles sticking out of his shirt at the back and a clear tyre on his middle.

I reckon he hits the ice cream every time he thinks of Duverne!