DeadlyDirk Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 23 hours ago, Raver50032 said: I do wonder if the fitness issue and this 'fat camp' stuff people have started saying is all just a smoke screen for the real issue behind all this... I mean, he went off to Dubai and got photographed smoking some sort of pipe... Imagine for a second what kind of stuff could have been in that pipe... Come on... he isn't a fat bastard... He's actually a lot fitter than most of us can imagine. He hasn't played competitively for us since he came back... Suppose, just for a moment at least, that the real issue here is some kind of drug still in his system. If he got tested after a real live game for us and found to have something nasty in his system, that would bring even more shame on the club. I think whatever has happened is a total shower of unprofessionalism on his part and is disappointing from somebody who is senior at the club and should be setting an example... I do wonder though if this fitness thing is just being put out there by the club to mask a bigger issue potentially. No need to flame... I love a good conspiracy theory... Not wanting to dismiss your conspiracy theory (I love a good one), but the only substance that'll stay in your system this long is Heroin. If my memory serves me right (I do Mandatory Drug Testing as one aspect of my job..) everything else will be untraceable 5 days after taking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 54 minutes ago, DeadlyDirk said: Not wanting to dismiss your conspiracy theory (I love a good one), but the only substance that'll stay in your system this long is Heroin. If my memory serves me right (I do Mandatory Drug Testing as one aspect of my job..) everything else will be untraceable 5 days after taking. It is also VERY difficult to get that sort of stuff in Dubai. I doubt a player would risk it. Then again the rich kids over their have their little elite circles where anything goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave J Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 15 hours ago, OutByEaster? said: I think this is being very deliberately public - it's part of a whole wave of things where the new board have picked up on things that the fans are saying and tried to get on board - he's too big, no matter if it's fat or muscle and he's been dreadful this season, something needed doing with him - that it's being done this way is part of the efforts by the board to get us back on side. A charm offensive of sorts. Personally, and this isn't a view you hear much of, I hope it works, a fit Gabby at the start of next season would be an asset and it'd also give him a chance to make sure he's remembered in the right way. OBE with due respect your clutching at straws here, he wasn't this unfit in the previous 4 seasons and has still been terrible in my opinion. I see nothing to suggest change will take place now or in the future. Time to put this sorry saga to bed l'm afraid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TheStagMan Posted April 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2016 15 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said: I have been one of his most ferocious defenders over the years, trust me, but it's become too much of a piss take now! Me too (on a different forum - I'm new here!) for season after season I have wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, "maybe this is his season", "he has been played out of position" and "not used to his strengths by manager after manager", and that his development had been stunted by poor management. I do remember fondly the days of him, Young, Carew tearing defences to pieces, he should have kicked on from there, but he didn't. I think he got a lot more leeway because he is a local boy, "one of us" - no other player would have been given so many chances by the fans year after year. But, he has obviously given up, he has become too big for his boots, he obviously doesn't give a shit any more - the Dubai thing was the last straw for me. IF stories about his influence and attitude in the dressing room have any truth to them then it explains a lot - but for me, the complete lack of passion on the pitch, the absolute poor performances, the lack of running (OPTA stats show him as covering less ground per match than any other player) are why he needs to go. He is club captain, he should have been running his ass off, trying to motivate others and leading by example. He was never a great player, he would never have been "world class" but, he was fast as **** and gave 110% every game, which made him dangerous and his speed alone terrorised defences. Now he still isn't a great player, he is not fast any more, and he now only gives about 10%, most games he stands around the centre circle, hands on hips, huffing and puffing. Now we can argue that he is not fit..... but he is supposed to be a professional athlete (he is neither of those words now) - most other players seem to manage to gain a level of fitness this far into the season, and when they are not fit, they train harder, not slope off to Dubai to party. Has to go. Goodbye Gabby. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Harry Posted April 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2016 Some bits of ITK which I have no reason to doubt. Firstly Gabby has just sold his house in Little Aston, for £3.1m if anyone is interested. Months ago I had been told it was for sale and mentioned it on this thread having found the details on one of the local high end estate agents sites. Someone asked for a link and when I went back to get the link it had disappeared off the site. I assumed it had been taken off the market. Apparently it was on very low profile sale all along. Given that Gabby bought the previous house on that site, had it completely demolished and then build a very impressive pad with a double basement I assume it was the dream house for a local lad made good who was planning to stay in the area. Secondly the reason Gabby was in trouble when he got back from Dubai was nothing to do with the 'pipe picture'. The flight he chose to take back from there was scheduled to land at Birmingham Airport at 6.30am in the morning and he was planning to go straight to BMH from the airport. Unfortunately the flight was delayed so he was late for training. Not his fault but I understand it was deemed unacceptable to take that flight as even if it had been on time he would not really have been in the best shape to train. Yet more evidence of his lack of a professional attitude maybe? Thirdly partying was not the only reason he was out in the Middle East. Apparently he was out there to discuss playing there next season. I can't vouch for whether all of the above is completely accurate but I do know his next door neighbour who is one of many Villa season ticket holders who have given up in recent years so next time I see him I can check the house situation. If his house is sold that supports the idea he is not expecting to be at Villa next season and I personally could see him going to a 'soft' league to play football for shed loads of money. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBM Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 i guess i have a different opinion on drugs, not that i'm in support of them, as i'm not, i don't even smoke, but what i do believe is anyone has a right to make the decisions they make, but its up to their judgement if they think its right or wrong and what sort of example they will set if they are in the public eye, gabby knew what he was doing so must of also knew what sort of feedback he would receive once it was leaked to the media, only a few months ago everyone witnessed grealish-gate when he was lying in the gutter. now obviously, gabby, being a jack the lad, on holiday, relaxing (granted during a diabolical season) he's entitled to unwind like anyone going on a holiday, if he wants to smoke a pipe that is up to him, providing anything untoward isn't in his system come match day, if he was the sort of person to want light up a spliff straight after a match it wouldn't bother me as long as it didn't affect his ability as a footballer, his chosen profession, and the same would be said for anyone else in any other profession. i witnessed my colleague being drug tested and sacked because he was a hobbiest drug user of any kind, he openly admitted to it, his problem was that it was still in his system whilst at work when having to operate a fork lift truck. i'm not defending gabby because he's a fat lazy joke, but having a cheeky smoke on a pipe isn't to blame for this, i blame big johns :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Wouldn't shock me that Harry, I really can't see who in the prem would take him apart from West Brom perhaps which would allow him to stay in the Midlands. Maybe Derby as they do seem to be a retirement home for failing Villa players (Warnock, Bent, Carson, Weimann). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 This guy has to go, it's as simple as that, not only is he a terrible footballer, but he's on a monstrous wage which we simply cannot afford in the Championship. The club are very deliberately trying to screw him over, they have been very public about the 'investigation' into his Dubai behaviors and now this, and for once I'm actually backing how this club are operating with respect to this. Hopefully, they are generating disciplinary grounds to terminate his contract with a level of compensation below what he would have otherwise received. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 (edited) 57 minutes ago, Dr_Pangloss said: This guy has to go, it's as simple as that, not only is he a terrible footballer, but he's on a monstrous wage which we simply cannot afford in the Championship. The club are very deliberately trying to screw him over, they have been very public about the 'investigation' into his Dubai behaviors and now this, and for once I'm actually backing how this club are operating with respect to this. Hopefully, they are generating disciplinary grounds to terminate his contract with a level of compensation below what he would have otherwise received. Yes, that's how it seems to me too. The club seem to be publicly and carefully explaining why he's unavailable for selection, giving more information than you'd imagine is strictly necessary. I don't think it'll have escaped anyone's notice that he's on an enormous wage that will be extremely difficult to carry next season, yet he's only scored once this season and has frequently been unavailable for selection due to non-injury-related physical fitness concerns. Engineering a move to the Emirates would probably be best for all concerned at this point. Edited April 16, 2016 by HanoiVillan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 4 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said: Yes, that's how it seems to me too. The club seem to be publicly and carefully explaining why he's unavailable for selection, giving more information than you'd imagine is strictly. I don't think it'll have escaped anyone's notice that he's on an enormous wage that will be extremely difficult to carry next season, yet he's only scored once this season and has frequently been unavailable for selection due to non-injury-related physical fitness concerns. Engineering a move to the Emirates would probably be best for all concerned at this point. Agreed. Plus the traditional Dishdash is the perfect clothing for hiding those extra kilos. Now also available in the N'Zogbia design: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest av1 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 2 hours ago, AndyBM said: if he was the sort of person to want light up a spliff straight after a match it wouldn't bother me as long as it didn't affect his ability as a footballer, his chosen profession, and the same would be said for anyone else in any other profession. I agree. I think as a professional sportsman, his offield behaviour influences his performance more than the average Jo. The fact I'm unfit, overweight and will likely drown a gallon of ale this evening isn't going to affect my performance at work on Monday. Gabby is paid to be althelte, and as such the "odd spliff", the diet, and the professionalism to keep himself fit is part of his job, a job he has failed in for a number of years now. Like you say, if like George Best he was performing every Saturday on the pitch no one would care if he decided to go on the piss afterwards, but when your shit on the pitch it stands to reason that people will question how you're behaving of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post a m ole Posted April 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2016 1 hour ago, HanoiVillan said: Yes, that's how it seems to me too. The club seem to be publicly and carefully explaining why he's unavailable for selection, giving more information than you'd imagine is strictly necessary. I don't think it'll have escaped anyone's notice that he's on an enormous wage that will be extremely difficult to carry next season, yet he's only scored once this season and has frequently been unavailable for selection due to non-injury-related physical fitness concerns. Engineering a move to the Emirates would probably be best for all concerned at this point. "The Emirates? Will I play up top on my own or with Giroud?" 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 2 hours ago, sne said: Now also available in the N'Zogbia design: Raycisst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 1 minute ago, Heretic said: Raycisst. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Well if he's flogging his house then he must be off and it will be unlikely to be a midlands club as he could simply cruise into training in his Lamborghini. Hopefully he's off to the UAE or US so I never have to see this prick again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted April 18, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted April 18, 2016 On 4/16/2016 at 10:32, Harry said: Some bits of ITK which I have no reason to doubt. Firstly Gabby has just sold his house in Little Aston, for £3.1m if anyone is interested. Months ago I had been told it was for sale and mentioned it on this thread having found the details on one of the local high end estate agents sites. Someone asked for a link and when I went back to get the link it had disappeared off the site. I assumed it had been taken off the market. Apparently it was on very low profile sale all along. Given that Gabby bought the previous house on that site, had it completely demolished and then build a very impressive pad with a double basement I assume it was the dream house for a local lad made good who was planning to stay in the area. Secondly the reason Gabby was in trouble when he got back from Dubai was nothing to do with the 'pipe picture'. The flight he chose to take back from there was scheduled to land at Birmingham Airport at 6.30am in the morning and he was planning to go straight to BMH from the airport. Unfortunately the flight was delayed so he was late for training. Not his fault but I understand it was deemed unacceptable to take that flight as even if it had been on time he would not really have been in the best shape to train. Yet more evidence of his lack of a professional attitude maybe? Thirdly partying was not the only reason he was out in the Middle East. Apparently he was out there to discuss playing there next season. I can't vouch for whether all of the above is completely accurate but I do know his next door neighbour who is one of many Villa season ticket holders who have given up in recent years so next time I see him I can check the house situation. If his house is sold that supports the idea he is not expecting to be at Villa next season and I personally could see him going to a 'soft' league to play football for shed loads of money. Just to add a bit of ITK. I went to the Football Ramble Live on Friday. There was a guy there who's mate lives in Dubai. This mate is also friends with Gabby. After the Dubai stuff came out in the papers, this guy who was at the Ramble text his Dubai mate and asked him what he'd got upto with Gabby. The reply he got back was a video of the Dubai mate and Gabby doing shots I saw the message and the video so looked pretty legit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozvillafan Posted April 18, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted April 18, 2016 (edited) On 16/04/2016 at 23:13, sne said: ? Clearly, no black or white frogs are visible. Edited April 18, 2016 by ozvillafan make sarcasm obvious with emoji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fight Like Lions Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 His personal problems are certainly staking up behind the scenes. The house sale was a forced move after he split up with his girlfriend (mother to 2 of his children). He's sold it to fund putting a roof over their heads and release cash to buy somewhere for himself. In the meantime his young niece is seriously ill and Gabby's brother and girlfriend want to take her to Lourdes. The £5,000 cost is being sought through a crowdfunding campaign. Crazy when you imagine Gabby earns that in a day. By all account the little girl was very seriously ill while Gabby was living it up in Dubai. I can't imagine family relations are particularly strong at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I know I shouldn't judge, but it honestly pains me to hear of people scrabbling about to raise £5000 for an application of woo. What an incredible waste. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Sounds like Gabby and Collymore had a right texting ding dong (according to Stan) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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