Damian Vidagany - Director of Football

[PaulWinch again]

The main reason we are seemingly missing Diaby is because in August Bailey 2.0 turned up instead of Bailey.

Well yeah but it’s not a coincidence that Diaby not being there has altered the output of Bailey. Whether it’s a relationship thing, a lack of pressure thing, or something else I don’t know but they clearly worked.

[Percy McCarthy]

Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".

Hence Philogene.

So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?

[pauliewalnuts]

I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.

Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.

[Dave]

Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".

Hence Philogene.

So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?

Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.

[VillaTim]

I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.

Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.

I was not impressed with Diaby other than his pace . As a footballer he seemed quite limited . But his pace is sensational and we are missing that element .

[PaulWinch again]

Yes I think it’s less specifically Diaby and more the loss of pace to stretch games. Also from memory he was never injured, which was useful too.

[DB]

Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".

Hence Philogene.

So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?

Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.

We are missing his pace but need someone better. He did square root of f**k all in a lot of games.

[VillaTim]

Yes I think it’s less specifically Diaby and more the loss of pace to stretch games. Also from memory he was never injured, which was useful too.

His potential pace on the counter meant opponents defences had to be ready for that , often leaving two back just in case . We don't have this outlet now .

[PaulWinch again]

Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".

Hence Philogene.

So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?

Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.

We are missing his pace but need someone better. He did square root of f**k all in a lot of games.

Let’s not overstate it - he wasn’t what we hoped, but he still was involved in 19 goals across the competitions we played in. That’s a solid return.

[RamboandBruno]

He was a really important player for us pre xmas 2023. Watch the clips back rather than rely on memory. Him, Watkins, McGinn, Bailey, were unplayable. Like most of the test of the team, his form dipped after xmas. So I’d say the judgement on his worth to us is grey rather than black or white, he was good, or shite

[eamonn]

He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.

[Beard82]

He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.

I agree with all that apart from the last point I would be surprised if we successfully rectify it next month

[VillaTim]

He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.

Yeah he seemed very motivated to go to Saudi .
The pics of him and his kids on the private jet to Riyadh he posted on social media I found a bit weird and disrespectful of villa . Each to their own though and onwards and upwards .

[Demitri_C]

I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.

Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.

Agree with the first paragraph but I disagree with second.  I felt that last season diaby struggled when most of the side did. Even at his worse he was better than bailey is at his worst.

He struggled in a team that that was low on confidence and mostly likely fatigue. We must remember too it was his first season in england he he was far better than bailey was in his first year. I think he would have been even better this year if we had kept him.  I would take him back in a heart beat if he there was scope at re signing him allthough i think that would be veey unlikley

[Clampy]

I liked Diaby a lot and as suggested, I think he would have been better this season than last season and even last season he played his part. The suggestion that he contributed 'square root of fuck all' in games is harsh. As aleady said though, the fact that he's gone to where he nearly went before he joined does say a lot. It wouldn't surprise me to see  him back in Europe eventually though.