Shomin Geki

N'Zogbia is quite a remarkable sportsman. Whenever I think of him I get images of a lost soul, prowling the pitch in a state of confusion, as if a coma patient suddenly woke up in the soul of an adequate athlete, frightened and alone, half-heartedly playing along in a state of muted existential despair. Although that makes him sound more interesting than he really is. He redefines not being in the game. An appropriate highlights reel would be an endless, interchangeable series of images of him frowning, almost sweaty, at the perfectly equidstant point between not really attacking and not really defending. Just drifting, like balsa flotsam. Jesus, years from now we'll all be doubting if he wasn't some weird shared hallucination. Did he really exist? Do we have any proof? Does anyone have any actual memories of the guy? The crap Keyser Soze of football. And like that... he's gone.

Oh yes, and additionally, you know all ain't right at the club when people are resorting to supporting 'nice guys' rather than 'good players'. Seriously, 'honest professional' is preferable.

I must be honest, and as much as I admire his passion, this signing, especially for the reported fee, baffles me more than any other under Lambert. Kozak is as slow as a tugboat in treacle, his footwork often seems clumsy and cumbersome, he's no great shakes in the air, his physical presence is negligible, and worst of all, I struggle to see any real compatibility with the style of other Villa players. Obviously I sincerely hope I'm being a presumptious buffoon, but I secretly suspect many others feel the same way but are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. I dread the backlash in this forum three months from now.

I'm very naive about such matters, as I'm sure many others necessarily are, but how exactly would one approach a player (and his represenatives) with this 'Stepping Stone' argument? Would this be implied or stated outright? Would it be reduced to technical contractual details or discussed openly? I'm genuinely super-curious. Anyone have any ideas or insight?

Welcome, Gana! Be brutal and beautiful!

Surely one of the issues regarding Adebayor is also the finite resources we have when it comes to wage structure and squad positions. If we are to sign say five players this close season do we want even a decent piece of that pie in the hungry, hungry mouth of Mr Adebayor? And incidentally, could someone with more time and gumption enlighten me (and perhaps us all?) about the affect overseas tours have on club transfers? Does it make a huge difference, for Villa in the past, and maybe for other clubs too?

I won't be able to hide my disappointment if this ends up being true. Perhaps a journalist can grow some balls, step off the dizzying football entertainment complex carousel, and quote Delph's comments back to him? If we wish to feel the power of concepts like loyalty, honesty, fraternity, and whatnot, and surely we do, simply moaning and shrugging ain't gonna cut the mustard. Jesus, these days even the bread and circuses have bread and circuses.

Hello beloved Villatalk! Epic lurker wanting some of that sweet Villa Talk action. Hopefully my spellbinding insights and general linguistic pizzazz will convince you to make me one of you. Or you might just think I'm an uppity clearing in the woods and send me in the direction of the Birmingham forums. I urge you not to press that red button. Anyway, much love. Villa fan since I was four. A little older than four now. Twenty eight years older in fact. Much as I've sheepishly fibbed about my Villa origins over the years, the truth is my mushy four year old mind chose them during somewhat arbritarily during a Tottenham game. One day I'll found out what that game was. I shudder to think how wrong I could have chosen. Perhaps the mighty Villa have something of an aura? If you want a test of my undying passion I can send photos, videos, tear samples and smashed mugs. I aim not to disappoint. I'm a freelance filmmaker and game developer from London. My real name is Ciaran. Shomin Geki is the name of my company. I rather like it. I'm part Japanese, part American, part English (All Villa). I'm slowly learning to wean myself off the headless chicken warrior brigade of the likes of Baker and onto the genteel European way of things. The struggle is endless. But, and this is really why I want to contribute, I've become daftly caught up in recent positive Villa affairs after years of boring, boring pain. Please let my ink fly. Enough? Thank you very much.