John Terry - Gone

[pauliewalnuts]

I always rated him as a player and didn't get too wrapped up in the off field stuff although it was hard to actually say you liked him. My main annoyance was his attempts to referee every game he played in.

I used to hate that.

However, there was a moment yesterday where it looked like he was doing exactly that - he conferred with the referee, pointed out a Fulham player, who then walked back to be booked.

Perfectly reasonable intervention from Villa's Brave John Terry.

[olaftab]

We are scoring goals because the defence needs less protection and is less likely to hoof the ball straight back to the opposition.

Other than the last 15 minutes yesterday.😉

[West Derby Villan]

I don't like him, thought we shouldn't have signed him, thought we were better without him, thought he was a git. I haven't changed my opinion but he we have improved , haven't we , thoughts ?

[ciggiesnbeer]

He has improved us. I never really watched him much for Chelsea but it seems to me he is doing a pretty impeccable drama free job as Captain as well as being the solid defender he is. And good lord I love his distribution. I do hope every other defender in the club takes note of how that is done.

Its early days, but so far so good.

[Risso]

I'm grudgingly coming round to the fact that he's our player.

Ah bollocks, he's been excellent, and looks a class apart.  Apart from a shaky first two or three weeks, he's just quietly and without fuss got on with things, and seems to be getting better and better.  Hopefully he'll be starting to chip in with a few more goals from set pieces too, as he should be very dominant in those positions.

[darren woolley]

Class player like I've said before I'm just glad we have got him.

[cdbearsfan]

I still don't like him.

[tomd2103]

I'm grudgingly coming round to the fact that he's our player.

Ah bollocks, he's been excellent, and looks a class apart.  Apart from a shaky first two or three weeks, he's just quietly and without fuss got on with things, and seems to be getting better and better.  Hopefully he'll be starting to chip in with a few more goals from set pieces too, as he should be very dominant in those positions.

Yep.  His reading of the game really is top class and makes up for any lack of pace.  He is pretty close to being two footed as well, as those cross field balls he hits with his left foot are very effective. 

[Chris Smith]

I still don't like him.

When it comes down to it he is an employee doing a job, we can admire the work without having to like the man.

[Brend'Watkins]

The age thing doesn't appear to be an issue either.  Yes, his pace isn't much now but it never really was one of his strengths.  He compensates for lack of it in many other ways. I'm glad we've seen the back of Baker, any good that came from him was undone by his ability to fuck up at various points throughout most games he was involved in. He's the only player we've had who could challenge in the air for a ball ,win it more often than not and land on his two feet but would still need to do some stretching movement after as he'd tweaked something or other.  No surprise to me that he's currently out injured for Bristol City.

[cdbearsfan]

I still don't like him.

When it comes down to it he is an employee doing a job, we can admire the work without having to like the man.

Yes, I'll go along with that.

[SteveN]

Don't like him but he has been one of the best, if not the best, central defenders playing at the top level. Most premier teams, especially Liverpool and Arsenal, would benefit from having him.

[Drummond]

He's been bloody brilliant. I hate saying it but it's true.

Makes such a difference to the side and gives reassurance that we've not had back there for a while. And he can pass.

[mr underhill]

I wonder why he elected to come to us when he must have had more attractive footballing and financial options? I thought he completely unbalanced our defense in the first few games but by and large he has had a positive impact and for that i am grateful. As to like or dislike it's irrelevant - as my old Marketing Director used to say -  you don't have to like me, but you do have to respect me.

[tomd2103]

I wonder why he elected to come to us when he must have had more attractive footballing and financial options? I thought he completely unbalanced our defense in the first few games but by and large he has had a positive impact and for that i am grateful. As to like or dislike it's irrelevant - as my old Marketing Director used to say -  you don't have to like me, but you do have to respect me.

I think that part of that was that Chester was going through a bit of a dip in form.  He's since recovered his form and looks back to his best.