Gabby

[Chris Jameson]

Random drug testing to be introduced on H&V.

[kippaxvilla2]

I definitely agree with footyskills on one point.  Bruce does have a son in football.

[chrisf]

As for auntiesledd - Really?

It wasn't my intention to be racially insensitive, however in hindsight it was a very cheap shot & highly regrettable. I apologise sincerely to those I have offended and 'will make sure I engage what little brain I have before commenting in future. Sorry folks.

That's clearly a sincere apology for a throw away joke that you regret making. Fair enough and sorry to drag it up two days later but I'm amazed that you haven't been lynched on here for the joke or the description of it as 'racially insensitive'.

Racially insensitive? What does that mean? You didn't realise that black people were sensitive to being called bastards?

Your joke wasn't 'racially insensitive', it was a joke based on a racial prejudice that he's black therefore he's probably illegitimate.

[footyskillz]

I was trying to explain there are many reasons to gabby situation.  I also trying to explain but not very well ,not sure  how to express , that players are schooled at a football  club and advised.  He's a long serving professional who needed guidelines, kit gloves, and assurances in development.  Fundamentally clubs are responsible for bringing players through. I don't think anyone would disagree if Ferguson had coached him agbonlahor would have been  a different breed altogtether.  Bruce is upbeat as i am as gabby is dropping down a  level of quality defending. However I am realistic t know his best days and top performances on consistent basis in top flight are behind him. 

[adrenachrome]

Fair play, so.

[Bad English]

Can we get back to the point please?

Gabby is a fucking disgrace and I will be opening the champagne the day he finally leaves. He can score ten per game for now until the end of the season and that will barely make up for his attitude over the past five years.

[auntiesledd]

As for auntiesledd - Really?

It wasn't my intention to be racially insensitive, however in hindsight it was a very cheap shot & highly regrettable. I apologise sincerely to those I have offended and 'will make sure I engage what little brain I have before commenting in future. Sorry folks.

That's clearly a sincere apology for a throw away joke that you regret making. Fair enough and sorry to drag it up two days later but I'm amazed that you haven't been lynched on here for the joke or the description of it as 'racially insensitive'.

Racially insensitive? What does that mean? You didn't realise that black people were sensitive to being called bastards?

Your joke wasn't 'racially insensitive', it was a joke based on a racial prejudice that he's black therefore he's probably illegitimate.

As I have already said, it was an extremely regrettable comment I made. Since rightly being called-out for saying it, I've been having a serious think about my own prejudice; why I may subconsciously harbour thoughts that I ordinarily wouldn't display outwardly in my everyday life; and - most importantly - what I can do in the present & future to both address and then resolve them. You're absolutely right to point out that my comment wasn't 'racially insensitive' and was, in fact, racist. I couldn't bring myself to just say 'racist' (in isolation) at the time - as I hate to think of myself as being a racially prejudiced person and like to think of myself as a person who is sensitive towards others. Clearly I still have deep-seated attitudes to address if I am to be the individual I aspire to be, but work on them I will. A big part of me wishes I could turn the clock back and not make my comment in the first place, however that wouldn't address the prejudice I had at the time; and it wouldn't have created a situation where I can examine my attitude(s) and ignorance. I am genuinely sorry to those I have offended and I sincerely hope that I can put into practice that which I have already learned from this very regrettable situation.

[chrisf]

As for auntiesledd - Really?

It wasn't my intention to be racially insensitive, however in hindsight it was a very cheap shot & highly regrettable. I apologise sincerely to those I have offended and 'will make sure I engage what little brain I have before commenting in future. Sorry folks.

That's clearly a sincere apology for a throw away joke that you regret making. Fair enough and sorry to drag it up two days later but I'm amazed that you haven't been lynched on here for the joke or the description of it as 'racially insensitive'.

Racially insensitive? What does that mean? You didn't realise that black people were sensitive to being called bastards?

Your joke wasn't 'racially insensitive', it was a joke based on a racial prejudice that he's black therefore he's probably illegitimate.

As I have already said, it was an extremely regrettable comment I made. Since rightly being called-out for saying it, I've been having a serious think about my own prejudice; why I may subconsciously harbour thoughts that I ordinarily wouldn't display outwardly in my everyday life; and - most importantly - what I can do in the present & future to both address and then resolve them. You're absolutely right to point out that my comment wasn't 'racially insensitive' and was, in fact, racist. I couldn't bring myself to just say 'racist' (in isolation) at the time - as I hate to think of myself as being a racially prejudiced person and like to think of myself as a person who is sensitive towards others. Clearly I still have deep-seated attitudes to address if I am to be the individual I aspire to be, but work on them I will. A big part of me wishes I could turn the clock back and not make my comment in the first place, however that wouldn't address the prejudice I had at the time; and it wouldn't have created a situation where I can examine my attitude(s) and ignorance. I am genuinely sorry to those I have offended and I sincerely hope that I can put into practice that which I have already learned from this very regrettable situation.

Big thumbs up from me. Understand exactly where you're coming from.

[CT]

Can we get back to the point please?

Gabby is a fucking disgrace and I will be opening the champagne the day he finally leaves. He can score ten per game for now until the end of the season and that will barely make up for his attitude over the past five years.

This for me too.

[footyskillz]

Can we get back to the point please?

Gabby is a fucking disgrace and I will be opening the champagne the day he finally leaves. He can score ten per game for now until the end of the season and that will barely make up for his attitude over the past five years.

This for me too.

Any musings why you guys  as a fans or people wonder why agbonlahor has underperformed. Would it be okay to inform other readers here or speculate as to why his perceived  attitude has dropped off.

The only reason I ask is his attitude in the last 5 years perhaps mirrors the attitude of the owners and running of club. Maybe like some fans and supporters he was despondent and was actually having to carry alot of the hopes as he represented villa on the pitch. Maybe he was torn about leaving and advised to leave but he didnt want to and maybe seeing the abject nature of how the club was not progressing became complacent became upset had no mentors or guidance from club and used influences around him socially to motivate him as the coaching was nt inspiring him. It's not understood easily if at all but just because some earns a high wage doesnt mean they perform to that wage or the perception of what is required.  This can be because of the ineterchangable nature of people in and out of football
So what are your thoughts on why his attitude has dropped
Would you say the club was in decline caused gabby to be in decline but he stayed

[aj2k77]

Gabby has under performed because from the top down there has been no drive to up hold standards.

He's latched on to the lack of leadership and realised he can quite easily pick up a huge amount of money without having to do the hard work such as keep in shape and do the hard yards in training.

He's a leach and can eat my shit. I hope he doesn't get another minute in our shirt, I'd rather blood the Russian than the bloke built like a Russian sub.

[Percy McCarthy]

All the responses to footyskillz' opus almost make me want to read it.

But not quite.

He's taken over your mantle as Gabby-champion

Lol.

[Percy McCarthy]

As for auntiesledd - Really?

It wasn't my intention to be racially insensitive, however in hindsight it was a very cheap shot & highly regrettable. I apologise sincerely to those I have offended and 'will make sure I engage what little brain I have before commenting in future. Sorry folks.

That's clearly a sincere apology for a throw away joke that you regret making. Fair enough and sorry to drag it up two days later but I'm amazed that you haven't been lynched on here for the joke or the description of it as 'racially insensitive'.

Racially insensitive? What does that mean? You didn't realise that black people were sensitive to being called bastards?

Your joke wasn't 'racially insensitive', it was a joke based on a racial prejudice that he's black therefore he's probably illegitimate.

He escaped with that apology like somebody in a film who manages to scrape under a closing roller-shutter door just before it traps them.

[Percy McCarthy]

As for auntiesledd - Really?

It wasn't my intention to be racially insensitive, however in hindsight it was a very cheap shot & highly regrettable. I apologise sincerely to those I have offended and 'will make sure I engage what little brain I have before commenting in future. Sorry folks.

That's clearly a sincere apology for a throw away joke that you regret making. Fair enough and sorry to drag it up two days later but I'm amazed that you haven't been lynched on here for the joke or the description of it as 'racially insensitive'.

Racially insensitive? What does that mean? You didn't realise that black people were sensitive to being called bastards?

Your joke wasn't 'racially insensitive', it was a joke based on a racial prejudice that he's black therefore he's probably illegitimate.

As I have already said, it was an extremely regrettable comment I made. Since rightly being called-out for saying it, I've been having a serious think about my own prejudice; why I may subconsciously harbour thoughts that I ordinarily wouldn't display outwardly in my everyday life; and - most importantly - what I can do in the present & future to both address and then resolve them. You're absolutely right to point out that my comment wasn't 'racially insensitive' and was, in fact, racist. I couldn't bring myself to just say 'racist' (in isolation) at the time - as I hate to think of myself as being a racially prejudiced person and like to think of myself as a person who is sensitive towards others. Clearly I still have deep-seated attitudes to address if I am to be the individual I aspire to be, but work on them I will. A big part of me wishes I could turn the clock back and not make my comment in the first place, however that wouldn't address the prejudice I had at the time; and it wouldn't have created a situation where I can examine my attitude(s) and ignorance. I am genuinely sorry to those I have offended and I sincerely hope that I can put into practice that which I have already learned from this very regrettable situation.

Fair play.

He's not exactly Jack the Villain is he?

[ChicagoLion]

Footy is having a go at defending the indefensible, when you look at all the choices he could have made as opposed to the choices he did make, there is no defence.
"Maybe"  Footy he has no respect for the Club, the fans or himself.