The Moustache of Teale Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 It's just got to happen, even if he only plays a bit part. The club was toxic and negative last season. Even if we don't manage to offload the negative influences, who aren't fit to tie Stan's boots, the positivity brought by his presence will outweigh all that. A bit like atom science in school, we'll move from having a negative charge to having an overall positive one in just one single move. I hope that the likes of Lescott, Richards, Gabby and co. take a long hard look at themselves and feel ashamed. The word 'inspirational' just doesn't do Stan justice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 This is what football should be all about. I think it's amazing. The most heroic and legendary moment I've known as a villa fan. Truly inspirational. I hope the other players look at him and really take note. Don't want to make this into a negative post, but regardless of any situation, they should surely now realise that they're efforts last year were beyond inexcusable. I'd like to make a bold statement that we would have not gone down, certainly not in the pathetic manner we did, with this guy in the side. You can start every game for me stan this season, next season and every season that follows. I know that whatever your circumstance you will be giving your best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshVilla Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 You can say that again 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntrimBlack Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 7 minutes ago, Woodytom said: This is what football should be all about. I think it's amazing. The most heroic and legendary moment I've known as a villa fan. Truly inspirational. I hope the other players look at him and really take note. Don't want to make this into a negative post, but regardless of any situation, they should surely now realise that they're efforts last year were beyond inexcusable. I'd like to make a bold statement that we would have not gone down, certainly not in the pathetic manner we did, with this guy in the side. You can start every game for me stan this season, next season and every season that follows. I know that whatever your circumstance you will be giving your best. This is all getting a little bit over the top. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted July 10, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted July 10, 2016 It's great that he has come back and is involved in the friendly matches, but doesn't really look fit enough to play competitively. It's a wonderful thing but no man is bigger than this football club, automatic starts? No thanks. Don't mind him being in the squad, being a leader in the dressing room and playing occasionally. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 20 minutes ago, AntrimBlack said: This is all getting a little bit over the top. Why is it? Right now, because let's face it, we can not see into the future, all we have is a team of players who are a disgrace. Sure things might be brighter soon, but how many new dawns have we looked forward to? Going off recent times, I'd much prefer 11 players nowhere near good or fit enough, but who give their all than the dismal pathetic shite we've had to endure. It would make me prouder as a fan. I'm singing from the rooftops to friends/family about villa and petrov. Nothing has made me do that over the last half a decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 10 minutes ago, PieFacE said: It's great that he has come back and is involved in the friendly matches, but doesn't really look fit enough to play competitively. It's a wonderful thing but no man is bigger than this football club, automatic starts? No thanks. Don't mind him being in the squad, being a leader in the dressing room and playing occasionally. Who is suggesting automatic starts? Is pre season over then? Final judgement in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted July 10, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted July 10, 2016 (edited) 6 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: Who is suggesting automatic starts? Is pre season over then? Final judgement in? Woodytom did. He said he could start every game this year and next year. No, pre season isn't over, but he's over weight and 37 going into a 46 game season. Let's be realistic here, a squad player would be an incredible achievement still. Edited July 10, 2016 by PieFacE 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 6 minutes ago, PieFacE said: Woodytom did. He said he could start every game this year and next year. No, pre season isn't over, but he's over weight and 37 going into a 46 game season. Let's be realistic here, a squad player would be an incredible achievement still. Yes but my thoughts are not just down to current fitness and talent. I've always stood by that the first thing I want is 11 players giving their all. Should we have players who give as much to the cause as stan does and are in addition more capable then of course I'm not going to suggest starting him. There is very little to suggest we have that yet tho... given the pathetic effort from them all last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanBalaban Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 I think people are rightly ecstatic that he's come this far. To go from being our captain to genuinely fearing for his life, coming this far alone shows a level of character not often found in any walk of life. He cannot help but have a positive affect on many members of the squad. I also believe that most fans would want him to have a place in the squad on merit - as I'm sure Stan would himself. For me, if his fitness getting close then it's a no-brainer as this will improve on a daily basis. The footballing brain will still be there but, as you rightly say, he's 37 years old and won't be able to last an entire season. However if he's anywhere near the level of a Championship player in terms of footballing ability alone, as a leader, as someone to have in the squad, someone that can come on to the pitch when the team needs a lift, as someone to hold his nerve and lead the dressing room in (hopefully) a promotion challenging side, whilst pushing his teammates as hard as they dare, he fully deserves a place in the squad IMO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a m ole Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Let's look at this 'taking one of the valuable squad positions' thing. GK - Gollini, Bunn, Guzan, Steer DF - Hutton, Okore, Elphick, Baker, Clark, Bennett, Amavi, (1 new DF) Lescott, Richards, Cissokho MF - Traore, Gil, Gardner, Westwood, Gana, Veretout, Grealish, (2 new MF) Bacuna, Sanchez, Sinclair FW - Ayew, Kozak, Gestede (2 new FW) Agbonlahor I've highlighted the players I think we are likely to keep. That's 19. Five more signings takes us to 24, providing none of the players I've highlighted are replaced by those signings (we might sign a centre back to replace Clark, for example). Players under the age of 21 are unlimited, so our current youngsters and Tshibola who was born one day after the cut off can all be involved. So even if we have to keep a lot of the shit from last season, there is more than enough room for Petrov to have a number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanBalaban Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 21 minutes ago, Woodytom said: Why is it? Right now, because let's face it, we can not see into the future, all we have is a team of players who are a disgrace. Sure things might be brighter soon, but how many new dawns have we looked forward to? Going off recent times, I'd much prefer 11 players nowhere near good or fit enough, but who give their all than the dismal pathetic shite we've had to endure. It would make me prouder as a fan. I'm singing from the rooftops to friends/family about villa and petrov. Nothing has made me do that over the last half a decade. I get this, Tom. If having money, the best facilities, playing at Villa park and some other fantastic grounds cannot inspire certain players to put the maximum amount of effort in - some of whom call themselves fans of the club - then perhaps the prospect of being out-trained and out-fought by a 37 year old might just trigger a reaction in whatever profession pride they have left. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Godders Posted July 10, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2016 14 minutes ago, Richard said: Neither really adds to a sensible discussion. Yes, but neither does stubbornly holding onto an opinion built on faulty premises in the face of strong arguments to the contrary. As i understand it (and please correct me if I'm wrong) your opinion is that this whole exercise is a waste of time since its clear to you that Stan will not be good enough for a playing contract. However, your assuming here that he's only training with the first team due to some sentimental bs. I disagree with this assumption whole heartedly. RDM and his backroom staff are pretty much all new to the club, so it's reasonable to assume that they are not sentimental mugs just looking for a feel good story. They must be if the opinion that there is a possibility that Stan COULD be good enough for a playing contract. Also do you really think that Stan, with his love for the club, would realistically try and engineer a contract if he himself didn't think he could add value to the team? I don't at all. Its reasonable then to think that RDM, and his backroom staff, who are all paid a lot of money to get results from this football team, and Stan himself, who loves this club, thinks that there is a chance that he could add value to the football club as a player this season. Therefore this exercise cannot be a waste of time. I think this view is held by most on here, which is why you're having your opinion (validly) challenged. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Risso Posted July 10, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2016 It's a fairly simple position for me in respect of Petrov. Firstly, it was absolutely brilliant that heplayed yesterday, whatever the standard of the opposition. Easily the best bit of news concerning Villa in the last few years. Secondly, as to his longer term contribution or otherwise. Xia and Roberto di Matteo will be fully engaged in trying to get the team promoted. Anything else will be a disaster for both men. If Petrov proves that he's fit enough and good enough to play an active part, then he'll be given a squad spot. If he does, then it will be an amazing story and will assist in the wider goal. If he doesn't, then I'm absolutely certain that Xia and RDM will have no truck with sentimentality, and he won't be in the squad. I can't see how we can really lose to be honest, because it's clear that just having him around means a lot to the players. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 23 minutes ago, PieFacE said: Woodytom did. He said he could start every game this year and next year. No, pre season isn't over, but he's over weight and 37 going into a 46 game season. Let's be realistic here, a squad player would be an incredible achievement still. 1) Is he actually overweight? Can somebody prove this either way, because it seems incomprehensible to me that he would come all this way and stop 15lbs short of where he needs to be. 2) Either way, were not going into the season yet. 4 weeks to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 I'm not sure if there is a squad size limit in the championship, but even if there is, Petrov has to take a place. Even if he only a makes 1 appearance it will still be worth it. He will be such a big influence on everyone, but especially the likes of Grealish and Gardner. I was one of those that didn't think he was that a player great pre illness (even though looking at the team in his absence has certainly shown that he was way above everyone else we've had recently). But even I can see that his attitude and behavior will be hugely influential on the team, as a registered player it will have more impact than that of a coach (which I think he'll take up after 1 yr). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntrimBlack Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 30 minutes ago, Woodytom said: Why is it? Right now, because let's face it, we can not see into the future, all we have is a team of players who are a disgrace. Sure things might be brighter soon, but how many new dawns have we looked forward to? Going off recent times, I'd much prefer 11 players nowhere near good or fit enough, but who give their all than the dismal pathetic shite we've had to endure. It would make me prouder as a fan. I'm singing from the rooftops to friends/family about villa and petrov. Nothing has made me do that over the last half a decade. This is exactly what I mean. I want to get promoted. This club is bigger than any one man, and the longer we stay in this division, the more difficult it becomes to get out of it, and the further away from us even average Premier League teams get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a m ole Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 As long as he's as fit of the rest of the squad, right? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
useless Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Leave it up to Petrov, Di Matteo and the rest of the team to make the correct decision. Whether we on here think he should have place in the squad or not, next season, is neither here nor there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bannedfromHandV Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 4 hours ago, StanBalaban said: I really struggle to see the negatives here. In a world where the footballing mercenary is more prevalent than ever, we have a player that has done pretty much most things one could expect in the game and is determined to play for us once more. He's a national hero in Bulgaria, captained his country, captained Celtic and, of course, has captained this fine club. He's fought off a life threatening illness and has subsequently worked tirelessly of his own accord to bust a gut just to put on an Aston Villa shirt again. I very much doubt he needs the money and I'm sure a lucrative career in broadcasting could have been an easier option, but when was the last time we saw anyone so determined to play for our club? We have local boys that couldn't have given less of a shit last season, yet here is a man would literally give everything his mind and body will allow just to try and make the grade. That's a leader, a fighter and a captain that you want in the dressing room. Whether he sets foot on the pitch in a competitive match or not, this is a man I want to help us fight our way back into the Premier League again. There aren't any negatives, people are inventing them as there's not much else to moan about right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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