Ashley Young (Goodbye and thank you)

[Brend'Watkins]

Allan C and Allan W posting so close together confuses me!

They're both the same in my head.  All Allans look the same there.

[not3bad]

I like the symmetry of the move. The first time Ashley Young came to us we were a side on the up who finished 11th that season. Now he may come to us when we're a side on the up that just finished 11th.

[algy]

Well he is provided his legs haven't gone. I just see it as so...…...temporary. Could be that Smith doesn't want to spend the money on a squad/challenging full-back this summer, or he thinks someone from the youth will be ready next season. Dunno. He's free I guess.

Yeah, he's a temporary signing.  I think in a few cases, though, doing that's justified.

At the moment, if we were signing a backup fullback I'd guess our options would be fairly limited.  They're not going to get a huge number of games in realistically.  Ashley Young would represent a realistic challenger to both of their first team places, and is undoubtedly a Champions League quality player - he's been a regular for the runaway Serie A winners this season just gone.

Hopefully in 2 years time we'll be playing Champions League - or at least European - football, and we'll be able to offer more games, at a higher level, to any prospective signings.  That should make recruiting a replacement for Young much easier.

I think, like you, I'm really not a fan of short term signings - but in this particular case it's justified.  Plus, as others have said, we've a very young side that's lost some of it's more senior/experienced players this summer.  In moderation, a signing like that can be very effective (e.g. Cambiasso at Leicester)

[darren woolley]

His experience will be very valuable for us.

[Toronto Villa]

Some are really overthinking this. If he had done nothing last year yes we should all be concerned. That wasn’t the case at all. He played a key role in his side winning Serie A and played in the CL. We know his attitude first hand. As well as any supporter group. He won’t be the same footballer who left because he’s older. But he has clearly modified his game to lengthen his career and will use that versatility and drive to challenge for a starting role and offer leadership on and off the pitch. He knows the club. We know him. This is a super short term signing.

[Dave]

Strange. When he was ManU, their main complaint from memory is he created nothing going forward. Although that could have been a Mourinho thing

Probably a Mourinho thing. He's been used for England as a wing-back most often I think.

Started the World Cup semi-final there.

[rooboy316]

Very little downside risk.. at worst he warms the bench, teaches the youngsters a thing or two, and we pay a year of wages. Plenty of upside if it comes off, and a cost efficient way to get cover in a number of positions Without holding back the youngsters in their development. No brainer for me.

[caster troy]

Logically he seems the perfect stop gap while we wait for European football to justify a bigger squad and/or our promising U23 full backs to develop. Experienced, winning mentality. Good on set pieces.

Emotionally... 'unfinished business' with us cracking the top 4, big game player, former crowd favourite, former idol of Jacks?

[lovejoy]

It's a no from me.

[Axl Rose]

Amazing. Absolutely loved him at the Villa before and was gutted when he left.

Glad he's returning.

[Axl Rose]

Sorry, can’t get excited about a player who was happy to dive and get a penalty against us whilst playing for Manure.

Really? That offsets all the good times he gave us and the fact he's kept his body and fitness up like a Milner? C'mon...

Cmon how many times have we been done by their dodgy penalty routine and he is part of that legacy so fuck him and them.

Haha. I can also understand this point of view. You've made me laugh, mate.

Still, I want him back!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He owes us a decent season after his last one here.

Welcome back, Ashley.

[cdbearsfan]

Sorry, can’t get excited about a player who was happy to dive and get a penalty against us whilst playing for Manure.

Really? That offsets all the good times he gave us and the fact he's kept his body and fitness up like a Milner? C'mon...

Cmon how many times have we been done by their dodgy penalty routine and he is part of that legacy so fuck him and them.

So, hypothetically, you'd turn down Fernandes on a free?

[ChicagoLion]

Sorry, can’t get excited about a player who was happy to dive and get a penalty against us whilst playing for Manure.

Really? That offsets all the good times he gave us and the fact he's kept his body and fitness up like a Milner? C'mon...

Cmon how many times have we been done by their dodgy penalty routine and he is part of that legacy so fuck him and them.

So, hypothetically, you'd turn down Fernandes on a free?

exactly

[Drummond]

Sorry, can’t get excited about a player who was happy to dive and get a penalty against us whilst playing for Manure.

Really? That offsets all the good times he gave us and the fact he's kept his body and fitness up like a Milner? C'mon...

Cmon how many times have we been done by their dodgy penalty routine and he is part of that legacy so fuck him and them.

So, hypothetically, you'd turn down Fernandes on a free?

exactly

Have you got a nose?