chunkyluke

Are you being Syrias?Saud-ly not!?

Jeez with Richards, Westwood and Gabby in the team I'm surprised that we could even think about winning a game!

Expecting the Citeh to come out in him tonight and see him absolutely clatter Rooney. And I will like it!

This Really? A striker at the top level has an above average game if he makes one decent pass, shot well once which was blocked anyway and passed back to their keeper after a great run? No wonder Heskey stayed around so long, he must have been a marvel in so many eyes. He would do what Gabby did in 10 minutes, especially the lack of shooting. The guy isn't even as good a dribbler as Hutton. Last season Hutton was far superior than him coming forward (exampled by his high chance creation) as well as better at passing the ball. Hutton is a defender, Gabby is a forward (striker isn't fair), how is he so useless in the final third? You compared his contribution to Delph, well Delph drove us forward, made tackles that retained the ball and was part of quick passing movements which moved around a team and not a single player as Gabby does. Compare that with Gabby and we have a dwelling, poor passer who has even lost the ability to cross. 3 good games all year doesn't make up for season after season of poor attitude to development. I will say though when he runs, which he literally never consistently does, he pulls defences apart and creates havoc....he just can't concentrate for 90mins to do so. I'm settled with the fact he's not a goal scorer, but he's barely a footballer, he has to offer something more than one poorly executed trick. (pace) Going down the list of squad players Gabby is near the bottom, less effective than even Weimann was. He's contributed more than Bennet I'll give him that but his attitude is appalling, headless chicken isn't going to help us push up the league. He needs to listen to coaches, keep telling himself to concentrate in game and do the simple things well, then there's a point to having him near the team. It'll be interesting to see what people think of him when competing against the new wide men/forwards, I think people will realise how different it is with attacking players who can actually read a game, or are willing to at least try. Wow, I guess football really is a game of opinions then. I've defended Gabby and what he brings to the team, but if that is what you see then i don't blame you not wanting him here. I see him very differently, and as such do want him in and/or around our 11. Just like Westwood, if we are arguing opinions then no one will ever win.

Don't like this, I was a fan. Good organiser and got the best out of his partner

From now on his title shall be 'The Australian Bacuna', mightn't be as good as Tha Balkan's Messi but hey it's a start

#ITK #OTWU

Trust us to end up signing the Minister of Health. hey if we have a Minister of Health, then maybe Joe Cole could actually make a game!

You mean that Tactics Tim set ip a plan, that one of our players (Westwood, why I Never!) executed Tim's plan, AND that we had appropriate personal on the bench to make the plan a possibility (Sanchez and Gestede)? The heady days that are Aston Villa now! But in all seriousness the game was a success on a number of levels, and one being that Sherwood and co are a more switched on bunch then first thought. A few smart moves (playing defensively to stifle the crowd before coming out 2nd half, Micah as captain worked, a front trio all about pace and dribbling to keep Bournemouth on their toes and tire out before the Rudy express hit the station.) as well as that a lot of positive debuts from Tim signed players, and a good team performance considering how new the squad is, and a good defensive unit. Big ups all round

Agree. Chelski would send him out on season long loan. Maybe that's what this is Agree but what is "that good" to us is average to them. Remember, players they look at for each position are probably in the top 3 players for that position in the world. He maybe be exceptional and have the potential to be world class but it still may not be enough for them, I mean even Barcelona let Yaya Toure leave them in 2010 and look how good he was then and the effect he had. He couldnt even get a regular midfield role at that time because Busquets was playing in his position so they allowed him to move to Man City. Hleb, Song arguably even Mascherano and Fabregas were world beaters in Premier League and couldnt get a sniff in their natural positions at Barcelona Exactly, Barca have sold a lot better players then Adama and not been hurt

I did once, now I'm blind for life

**** Guzan, play Gestede as a lone striker instead

But seriously if all these signings come off that are being brandied about today

all the midfielders in fact! Shove that up ya Spurs! All the midfielders are belong to us!

we call it the Dark Times now...

I believe it because it's in blue texthow ever with all due seriousness this is excellent news if true. Long live the summer of Sherwood!

I believe it because it's in blue text

Who's Clarke? Have we signed a newbie?? *newbi Definitely Newbie... I double checked my spelling when I posted his name in the Micah thread, and forgot to check this one before I hit post!!!! Ohh well might be the only time I get hounded about adding, instead of dropping an e!

I'm touching myself tonight

Strong game from Gabby. Struggled up too by himself, but you could see from how Bournemouth played they kept numbers back and didn't push the defensive line to high so he didn't catch them out. This is where having a player like Graelish or Gil will thrive, give them the space that Gabby makes and build from their creativity. If defence pushes up to close down space then a couple of long balls for gabby to run into should scare them back into a deep line. Became more of a threat himself when Gestede came on as the target man. Could be a good little partnership.

Thought Ash had a solid game. Always there as an out when playing from the back. Also already seems to have a good combination with Veretout. A lot of slick little interchanges between those two. Thought it was a solid game for him, not his best by any stretch but the work he does helps us play better football

It really is isn't it! I just watched the game this morning and what a pleasant surprise that combination was. As a pairing it is miles better then Vlaar and Clark. Also puts the fear of God into forwards watching Micah bully people all game and Ciaran scythe them down. I thought Richards was our MOTM, and didn't do too much wrong. Don't think we will concede to much in the air with this partnership either.

Bout to watch a replay, had to make do with audio live. I am honestly looking forward to watching how Richards and Clarke play

could be a threat this season, if Rudy hadn't got it Micah looked like he was about to smash it through the back of the net

Didn't watch, but listened in the AVTV audio. It seemed that whenever we had sustained pressure and were passing about he was in the thick of it, which is good to here, add another string to our teams bow