Charles N'Zogbia

[ChrisNichollsToe]

Milfner said it and I'll say it again. He's played 4 games, christ almighty!

Barnstormer coming at Everton then!!

Hope im not to pissed to miss it :oops:

[thegiddygambler]

Let's spell it out. So far he has been poor shading into anonymous. A lot to do to justify his transfer fee.

How was Downing or Youngs 1st 3 games for Villa. Hardly spectacular

Young scored on his debut. Downing scored in his first start against Pompey in League Cup

Young got an assist (for Carew) in his second game as well IIRC

I seem to remember Young starting rather slowly (although he scored on his debut) but improving and then the following season he showed what he was capable off.

To be fair Young, Milner & Downing were crap for their first 6 months playing for us.

[AngryToast]

Let's spell it out. So far he has been poor shading into anonymous. A lot to do to justify his transfer fee.

How was Downing or Youngs 1st 3 games for Villa. Hardly spectacular

Young scored on his debut. Downing scored in his first start against Pompey in League Cup

N'Zogbia scored on his debut away at Braga.

Give the kid a break, we all knew his fitness wasn't the best after an interrupted pre-season anyway.

[samjp26]

Saw N'Zogs performance against Blackburn from close up, and it was solid, not much trickery but he looked sharp and his tracking back was good also. Not the player I expected to see, but I don't care about step-overs as long as he's doing his job well, and it looked that way to me. We still need a winger that can cross a la Downing though!

[ChrisNichollsToe]

Saw N'Zogs performance against Blackburn from close up, and it was solid, not much trickery but he looked sharp and his tracking back was good also. Not the player I expected to see, but I don't care about step-overs as long as he's doing his job well, and it looked that way to me. We still need a winger that can cross a la Downing though!

Agree.

I think Zoggy will be better employed in the Heskey role. Trouble is, besides Albrighton, we are struggling for widemen.

[AVFC-Prideofbrum]

Proven in the league, I don't believe he had much of a pre-season?? (although not 100% on that) I think he looked decent vs Wolves. His end product was wasteful but he was going past players and creating openings regularly and if he does that week in, week out. He'll score and create goals.

[briny_ear]

To be fair Young, Milner & Downing were crap for their first 6 months playing for us.

Well, that was the opinion of some, and it was very controversial and hotly contested at the time - in each case the anti-Young/Downing/Milner posters were proved massively wrong in the long run.

I don't see anyone contesting the view that N'Zogbia has been disappointing so far and, given the state of our squad, it is very important he hits the ground running.

You can't really let him off the hook by claiming that other players have been poor when they started for us. It's not as if that makes it an OK situation we can be happy with, is it?

[AdamLL]

Has been disappointing so far, but has however shown glimpses of what he can do. Still have no doubt he will be a good player for us.

[Stevo985]

He's been about what i expected to be honest. He's done ok, ahsn't done anything wrong, but is yet to shine. It'll probably take him a few games, or even a few months, to settle in.

We saw it with Milner, Downing, Petrov etc etc.

That doesn't guarantee it'll happen, but it shows that it does happen with others.

I'm pretty confident he'll come good int he long run. That's not ideal, we need him to be good now, but I think it's going to take some time.

[theboyangel]

I agree Stevo, he's started off ok and will surely settle in properly.

I wonder if his settling in period has been hampered by playing alongside Heskey and Gabby in midfield, where they're not used to playing?

It looked like The Zog and Bannan had formed a bit of understanding though!

[barry'sboots]

Looks a decent start from the two games I have seen. Glimpses of what he is capable of although I believe he is not fully match fit yet. I would like to see two things happen:

- him and Gabby switching regularly to give them both some time with their natural foot on the outside and to give the FB's a different challenge.

- him and Benty striking up a relationship in the same way that he did with Rodallega.

And thirdly, I would like to see an ACM played between him and Gabby and not Heskey.

[Wainy316]

He's had about as much game time as Makoun now, so i guess the club now know all they need to know and will promptly ship him out.

[dudevillaisnice]

Q&A with Charles N'Zogbia.

N’Zogbia spoke with Jack Bell of The Times.

Q.

Is this your first time in New York?

A.

No, no. Been here many times.

Q.

And you just bought a house in Miami.

A.

Yes. A place to kick back and relax when I can.

Q.

And you just got back from the Hamptons by helicopter? How long does it take?

A.

About half an hour. I came because people say there are not many people in New York because of the holiday, it’s a good time. The end of summer. It’s funny you mention it because when I was at Newcastle Michael Owen used to commute to training in a helicopter. He was late one day and it landed on the training pitch! It was incredible.

Q.

You’re here because of the international break. Are you disappointed Laurent Blanc didn’t pick you for the France team this time? [N'Zogbia has played two games for France's senior national team, and scored one goal.]

A.

I think it’s like when you play for your country there are a lot of opportunities and a lot of players. I’ve played twice and I like it, but you know, it’s up to the manager. For me, football is football, you have to take your chance when you can. For me, it is not a problem. I came to New York, just me for me. I don’t get upset with something like this. For me, if it comes it comes, and makes me happy. Now I just say I’m doing what I want to do, and that’s it.

Q.

When did you play most recently for France?

A.

In June. One qualifier and two friendly games. The last game I played 70-75 minutes. It was comfortable. He was happy with me. You know when you finish the game, he said well done and you worked hard. This time, I think it was kind of best to select other players to see how they are working. I enjoyed my games. For me, no regrets and I did the best I can and that’s it.

Q.

Do you think he’s changed the team quite a bit after the World Cup. With all that went on with the France players in South Africa, what were you thinking at the time?

A.

Me, I’m thinking right now to play for France, since they won the World Cup they put the level really high for the other players to come. They were winning Cups. It’s not easy, because the old generation was really good and now the new generation is young players. Think the experience, winning trophies is what they don’t know [the young players].

Q.

Were the expectations too high in South Africa last year?

A.

Yeah. I think is too high. When you say you play for France, everyone is like yeah, France is a big [soccer] country and, the old generation was really good and it takes time to build the team to a top level and that’s what I think Blanc is trying to do. I think with [Raymond] Domenech the mentality was not really good and the players were fighting and stuff. Laurent Blanc — what he did brought good feelings, everyone to join, everybody wants to play and be happy. I think the expectations of the French people and fans were too high. But, you know, that’s fans. If you win something, they want more.

When you go to France they are never happy. If you win something you have to win something else. Nothing ever stops.

Q.

You said you arrived in New York on Thursday [sept. 1]. When you come to New York what types of things do you do?

A.

Go out. We go to clubs, nice restaurants, shopping. I just came for shopping and to relax a bit. Gucci, it’s less expensive. I’m from England and when you bring [pound] sterling it is cheaper to shop here.

Q.

Are you a mate of Thierry Henry?

A.

Not really. I heard he bought a place around here, though [in the Soho section of Manhattan]. And I saw he is scoring a lot of goals.

Q.

Going to Aston Villa, we know that Alex McLeish was trying to get you when he was with Birmingham. What went on then?

A.

It didn’t happen because at the time I was still at Wigan. Birmingham tried to buy me; it just didn’t work out with the terms of the contract. I had two years left in Wigan, they wanted to give me at Birmingham a four-year contract with the same wages. There is no point to come if you can’t reach better personal terms, if you want to buy me and don’t want to raise me. I decided I was just going to stay at Wigan and work hard. A better offer will come. I’m not asking for that much. But I know my value and the value I’m working for. If they don’t agree with what I want, there’s no point.

Q.

How difficult was it for you, as a young French player, to go to England, to Newcastle?

A.

I had just turned 18 when I came to England. I think it was a bit like kind of a test in life. Sometimes you go through life and have some doors and you don’t know where you’re going to end up. Yes, it was kind of a test. But me I’m not scared of going anywhere. I like visiting countries. I like doing other things. My dream as a kid was to travel the world and see other things, different cities. Yeah, it was a challenge. It was difficult, understanding the accent, very tough accent. The culture, the country, you have to know people and how they work.

Q.

Did you speak English?

A.

No.

Q.

Did they send you to school?

A.

Yeah, it was like when I was training it was O.K. After training it was a lesson everyday. A teacher would come to my house to teach me the language and about the life in England.

Q.

You grew up in France, but where is your family from originally?

A.

My family is from Congo, Zaire.

Q.

Any thought of playing there for the national team?

A.

They wanted to take me three years ago, but I was like, you know, I was young. I had never been to Zaire. I know my mom goes back to see family. I’ve never been there. I wasn’t ready. For me, I was born in France, I want to play for France. I’m happy with football maybe I have a future with the French squad. [in fact, research after the interview revealed that N'Zogbia, according to news media reports, had once flirted, early in 2010, with obtaining British citizenship, after having played for France's under-21 national team. But then the call came from the senior national team.

Q.

When you left Newcastle for Wigan, was Roberto Martinez the coach?

A.

No. After my four years in Newcastle the coach at Wigan was Steve Bruce, who is now the manager of Sunderland. I think he wanted me to come because I was going through a really tough time my last year in Newcastle. He wanted me to clear my head and play the football.

Q.

We hear so much about Martinez and what a terrific manager he is.

A.

He brings me into … he’s a really good manager, a strong person and really good man. It’s really a good feeling when you go through a tough time. He can talk to you, he can understand how players are working because he knows everyone is different. Honesty, he’s a really truth man. He’s not going to lie to you. You know what you can achieve, he tells you exactly what you need to do to get to the top of football.

Q.

What was it about him that seemed to bring out the best in you?

A.

It was just the way he wanted to see the football. Sometimes managers just want long balls. Not him. He said we have some good players. Let’s work on it, keep players on the ball. Anyone who does not want to play this way, I don’t want to take them. It was clear. He wanted to see football, see people take chances, he wanted players to show what they can do on the ball. That’s why he’s good. I think we played good football, but even when we lose, no matter what, he wanted people to show their skill. His mentality was to stick to what he believes. Last year what we were missing were some strong defenders.

Q.

Were you nervous about being relegated?

A.

No, not nervous. We were still going to fight. We stayed up in the last game.

Q.

You play Wigan on Oct. 1. Is it just another game?

A.

Yes, it is just another game. For me, I have been in England six, seven years. It’s a normal game. For me playing at the stadium in Wigan, it’s like in my home. I can’t wait. When I was there I was working hard for the team, I never let them down. I’m a player that didn’t just come for the money. It was about enjoying my football two, three years.

Q.

So you go to Villa and they sell Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, two very good players. You’ve got some big shoes to fill.

A.

Yes, big shoes. Now they bring new players. When you start the league you’re not sure if people want to stay or leave because of the transfer window. Everyone wants to train, but players don’t know where they’re going to be in two, three weeks. Now it’s settled. Our heads are clear. Villa for me is a big club, bigger players, massive support. We can fight and challenge for places in Europe, and it could be good for this club.

Q.

Do you know the American defender?

A.

[Eric] Lichaj? Yeah, he’s good. Think he’s young and he’s really good. I think he’s a really good young player. He’s working hard. He plays right defender right now.

Q.

And how do you feel about playing for an American owner [Randy Lerner]?

A.

The owner? No. In England you never meet the owner. Maybe you see him in the box when you play at home. You stick with the staff. All you do is you just play for your club; who’s going to buy the team is not your problem. We’re just working no matter if the owner is from Singapore or America.

Q.

What is your biggest thrill as a player, your biggest goal?

A.

My goal was to just be a professional football player. Just enjoy my football.

Q.

Now with a big contract, how has it changed your life?

A.

It hasn’t changed my life.

Q.

It must have changed your life, you’re here and you take a helicopter to the Hamptons.

A.

[A big laugh] I used to do it before, too. After two, three years in the Premier League you save your money to enjoy your life. Just a bigger challenge. It made me stronger.

Q.

I know you bought a house in Miami and I guess you’re like a lot of footballers who like to come to the U.S. because no one knows them here.

A.

Is true, you know when you’re from Europe you’ve been traveling in England, Paris, Spain. Sometimes you get a bit bored of Europe. Me, I wanted to come to New York, Miami, to see how it is. And I loved it.

Q.

Do you see yourself at a bigger club in three or four years?

A.

I would like to play in Europe and will give the club three or four years to do something. For me, my move was to sign with Villa, because it’s a really big change. They are really professionals, the club has all the amenities. Three years minimum. To go into Europe and be on the next World Cup team for France. That’s what I want.

Q.

Technically they call you a wing, but you seem to drift into the middle of the field. Is that part of your style?

A.

When I start football, I was a No. 10, my first position was to be behind the striker. My position was to play in the middle. That’s where I’m comfortable because I know exactly where are my players. But I can play left, right and in the middle. Now I have been playing on the left and on the right. If I had my choice, depending on the formation, I would play on the right. I can go past people, can get in and have a shot. Like a lot of clubs now they know you are left-footed they put you on the right because they know you can cut in for a shot.

Q.

Do you use Facebook? Twitter?

A.

I do Twitter. And it is me. I had 30,000 followers in one month. It’s me. When I tweet it’s really me. It’s good in Twitter. I reply to messages sometimes in England three days before the game, good to let them know the news. The fans just want some time to talk to players. With Twitter they can talk to us and they know it’s us. If you think a question is important you can answer and they will know how you are.

Q.

Do you prefer that than talking to reporters?

A.

Yeah, you can talk to a journalist, they ask something and the next morning it is something else in the newspaper. It is really good to let people know what you think. Sometimes you have a bad game, you also get support. Sometimes I’m just sitting have a lunch with friends, I just go on Twitter and see what’s happening.

Facebook is different, you do a page, pictures, is more private. If someone wants to join your Facebook you have to accept them. Twitter, they just follow you. When you answer everyone knows. It’s good. In England, many people were asking me, where are you going to be next season? On Twitter, you have to be careful what you say because it can be in the press. Some fans said come back to Newcastle. At the moment I was still a Wigan player. See what happens. When I signed just got a picture from the signing and sent it out and said, this is it. They know it’s me. Been there two, three months. It’s good. I like it.

http://tinyurl.com/3wxq59w

Bold bit is interesting...

[Shillzz]

Interesting, but honest and fair.

3 or 4 years for the club to pull it's socks up. Can't ask him to be any fairer or honest than that.

[TrentVilla]

Should fit nicely with our buy to sell and make a profit business plan.

[AdamLL]

Could have said a lot worse. Although would like him to produce some good form, before he starts thinking of his future elsewhere.

[LancsVillan]

Should fit nicely with our buy to sell and make a profit business plan.

What utter rubbish.

[TrentVilla]

Should fit nicely with our buy to sell and make a profit business plan.

What utter rubbish.

Thanks for that constructive input.

[brommy]

Should fit nicely with our buy to sell and make a profit business plan.

What utter rubbish.

Thanks for that constructive input.

To be fair TV, the same could have been said of your first comment.

[TrentVilla]

Should fit nicely with our buy to sell and make a profit business plan.

What utter rubbish.

Thanks for that constructive input.

To be fair TV, the same could have been said of your first comment.

Well mine was actually intended as gallows humour, perhaps I should have tagged a lolz on the end but then again I'm not 12 so opted against it.

At the end of the day though there was an element of truth in my comment, we are looking to run at a profit are we not moving forward? We are therefore going to be looking for good value players who we can perhaps turn a profit on in the future.

That wasn't the case when we signed the likes of Downing and Young but is it part of the thinking now? Absolutely I think it is, I think players future values is certainly being considered more than it was under O'Neill.

That in itself isn't such a bad thing but I do think that although my comment was more in jest than anything there is an element of truth in it.