Gabby

[ChicagoLion]

I think the club do have to be careful here, it is not that cut and dried that you can just pay him to stay at home and make public comments.
If he could argue that the clubs actions are impacting on his future ability to earn money because of reputational and other damage then this could cost more than his remaining contract.
Sadly all of the power is with the player regarding these matters.

[old man villa fan]

I think the club do have to be careful here, it is not that cut and dried that you can just pay him to stay at home and make public comments.
If he could argue that the clubs actions are impacting on his future ability to earn money because of reputational and other damage then this could cost more than his remaining contract.
Sadly all of the power is with the player regarding these matters.

On the flip side, bringing the club and the profession into disrepute.

[ChicagoLion]

I think the club do have to be careful here, it is not that cut and dried that you can just pay him to stay at home and make public comments.
If he could argue that the clubs actions are impacting on his future ability to earn money because of reputational and other damage then this could cost more than his remaining contract.
Sadly all of the power is with the player regarding these matters.

On the flip side, bringing the club and the profession into disrepute.

if you can show me a situation where a club has managed to extricate itself from a player contract except where gross misconduct has taken place.
These are matters of law not morality, sadly.

[old man villa fan]

I think the club do have to be careful here, it is not that cut and dried that you can just pay him to stay at home and make public comments.
If he could argue that the clubs actions are impacting on his future ability to earn money because of reputational and other damage then this could cost more than his remaining contract.
Sadly all of the power is with the player regarding these matters.

On the flip side, bringing the club and the profession into disrepute.

if you can show me a situation where a club has managed to extricate itself from a player contract except where gross misconduct has taken place.
These are matters of law not morality, sadly.

We are never going to be able to sack him.  A mutual agreement on terminating his contract is where we need to be.  Managing the situation between now and whenever it happens will get us the best out of it.

[Richard E]

I think the club do have to be careful here, it is not that cut and dried that you can just pay him to stay at home and make public comments.
If he could argue that the clubs actions are impacting on his future ability to earn money because of reputational and other damage then this could cost more than his remaining contract.
Sadly all of the power is with the player regarding these matters.

On the flip side, bringing the club and the profession into disrepute.

if you can show me a situation where a club has managed to extricate itself from a player contract except where gross misconduct has taken place.
These are matters of law not morality, sadly.

I agree. Put it this way, if a client came to me complaining about his boss tweeting things to the world implying he was not a "man" then I would fancy my chances on a constructive dismissal claim.

[Clampy]

He should have just said that Gabby had turned down a loan move and left it at that. He needs to learn that he doesn't always need to throw his opinion in.

[RichardBatchelor]

Apparently, contrary to the customary stipulation that a loaned player may not play against his parent club, Dr Xia would only trigger the loan on the condition that Reading put him in the side on both meetings with us...

(apologies if joke not original)

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As much of a cock Richards is I don't think he'll be a huge distraction and can actually cover/contribute something until he's gone. Gabby is a distraction and the club has clearly decided he's not all wanted near the premises.

If I had to choose between the two, it would be Gabby every day. Richards is and loves to play the clown. He sees himself as some hilarious joker, everything for him is a joke. Having him around the squad would be a disaster. Gabby is fucked, he knows he is and will be desperate for one last chance. If he's given it I'm pretty damn sure he'd give his all, the problem is we needed his all last season and he decided we weren't worth it.

The decision shouldn't be Xia's to call, it should be with RDM and Clarke. My guess is they look at it and think even if he comes in and works hard, doesn't disrupt, acts as a model professional from now on, we actually don't need him. We've more than enough in that department. Bringing him back in, even with all the promises in the world would be an unnecessary risk. They'll have enough pressure on them this season without having to worry about Gabby.

[Stirchley Villain]

Hasn't RDM himself already binned him though?

[RichardBatchelor]

As much of a cock Richards is I don't think he'll be a huge distraction and can actually cover/contribute something until he's gone. Gabby is a distraction and the club has clearly decided he's not all wanted near the premises.

If I had to choose between the two, it would be Gabby every day. Richards is and loves to play the clown. He sees himself as some hilarious joker, everything for him is a joke. Having him around the squad would be a disaster. Gabby is fucked, he knows he is and will be desperate for one last chance. If he's given it I'm pretty damn sure he'd give his all, the problem is we needed his all last season and he decided we weren't worth it.

The decision shouldn't be Xia's to call, it should be with RDM and Clarke. My guess is they look at it and think even if he comes in and works hard, doesn't disrupt, acts as a model professional from now on, we actually don't need him. We've more than enough in that department. Bringing him back in, even with all the promises in the world would be an unnecessary risk. They'll have enough pressure on them this season without having to worry about Gabby.

Yep, agreed, whatever happens, Gabby gave us 5 good years plus the odd good performance. He is clearly messed up. I'm not sure Micah has even given us five good minutes.

[cdward]

Reminds me of Winston Bogarde. He earned £10m over 4 years and played only 11 games, after being bombed out at Chelsea when Ranieri took over. He refused to take a pay cut or go out on loan, and trained with the reserves. 
Reading some of his later interviews he (sort of) regrets it now.

Maybe Gabby should get some advice from him.

[ChicagoLion]

Reminds me of Winston Bogarde. He earned £10m over 4 years and played only 11 games, after being bombed out at Chelsea when Ranieri took over. He refused to take a pay cut or go out on loan, and trained with the reserves. 
Reading some of his later interviews he (sort of) regrets it now.

Maybe Gabby should get some advice from him.

in the end Bogarde used to walk his dog around the training ground at Imperial College.

[ktvillan]

Gabby is in the public eye and I doubt anything Xia has said in his tweets could damage his reputation and future earnings potential  more than his no-arsed performances last season and his blatantly obvious attitude problem.

[cheltenhamlion]

The fact he turned the loan down really grates. He wouldn't have lost out financially, he would have got to play and wouldn't even need to move as Reading isn't far away. But, nope, he would sooner sit on his arse and do nothing. Fucking waster.

[Chris Jameson]

That Tom Harding bloke who was so upset at Villa selling Traore he was considering returning his season ticket (not sure why, fairly certain he won't get a refund) is a fan of Agbonlahor.

"I'm glad Gabbys staying, think we need him this year, teams lacks serious pace and he has it"

And also retweeted his other fan.

"Don't like the way gabby been treated. He scored a shed load of goals a true villain and a top player on his day."