Gabby Agbonlahor

[BOF]

I don't mind that he's travelling with the group to the match.  I think it's a good thing.  At least he's being useful which is a novelty.  That he has asked to be included, knowing he won't play is commendable.  If he can impart in any way his experiences of what's to be expected, and if he can get across to the others what this match means to the fans then he'll have served his purpose on the day.  He's the most experienced player we have, so we may as well use him any way that we can.  And it's also kudos to Bruce who has not burned any of the bridges with Gabby and is willing to listen to suggestions like this one.

[carewjust4u]

He was the captain and he was deemed too fat to play football. Physical fitness is the most basic requirement to being a professional footballer, let alone being the captain at one of the biggest clubs of arguably the biggest league in the world..I can't even begin to express how angry I am and how unforgivable that is. Can you imagine a telesales executive vital to a business losing the ability to talk at his/her own fault, for a prolonged period of time, of which contributes to significant losses to the business.....to then be forgiven...all whist earning a staggering wage/salary?

Gabby epitomizes everything that was wrong with the culture of this club and needs to be removed, albeit in a diplomatic way.

[Michael118]

38 minutes ago, rubberman said:

Agree.  What sort of message is it going to give to the youngsters on the fringes if they see Gabby not giving a shit for ages, flabbing up and then still given yet another chance ahead of them.

The message that everyone is on the same level playing field irrespective of what has happened in the past. If you are considered the best available option you will get an opportunity. No biases, no favouritism.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Michael118

[thabucks]

So basically people are saying you can take the piss out the club and the fans for the best part of two years but it's ok. As that's in the past and we move on and forget this?! Why cause he has finally decided he is a professional athlete and actually is putting in the hard work he should of been doing all along ?! But I guess posting a pic of car is much worse isn't it? 

I hate gabby for many reasons and can/will never forgive him for the way he has treated us. Not forgetting the fact he is just shit ! And I couldn't care less about this apparent attitude change. Too little too late. The mans a parasite and deserves all the hate and more. I just can't get my head around how anyone can forgive him or supports his reintegration into the squad. But hey that's why POV and that's the joy of living in a society that allows and tolerates differing view points with equal measure, and the fun of forums. 

 

Edited October 28, 2016 by thabucks

[Godders]

I get @thabucks argument. I think I can see though a scenario where it actually makes sense to keep him at the club:

Let's say he gets his fitness up to a place where he can play competitively for half an hour every week or so. We may find teams come in for him as a bit of a punt. However, it's conceivable that he wouldn't want to move abroad given his family, so would only be interested in English clubs, and his wages are likely to rule out lower league teams, so that really only leaves Championship teams. I would personally hate it if he went to a derby or a Huddersfield type team, and his goals at the end of matches meant they converted 1 point into 3 a few times at the back end of the season. They could even mean we miss out on the playoffs.

If we get a situation where some of our rivals are sniffing around, I would much rather keep him here, than risk him helping them out. As much as I think he has shown a certain amount of unprofessionalism on a few occasions, the club has to act in the best interests of the club and maximise the possibility of promotion, even if that means keeping Gabby here.

[Hoof hearted]

Can somebody actually clarify the 'chances' he's had? Apart from the being fat and can't be arsed debacle of last season he has been a model pro (albeit not a very good one) in my book.

FYI, I'm of the opinion he's just not good enough to play and there are far better options than him currently.

[villa89]

1 hour ago, carewjust4u said:

Gabby epitomizes everything that was wrong with the culture of this club and needs to be removed, albeit in a diplomatic way.

I think the fact that he was able to get away with it for so long AND get a new contract epitomizes what was wrong with the running of the club. You can't really blame Gabby for getting away with being overweight or getting a huge salary it's the people who ran the club were at fault.

[AntrimBlack]

I do not dislike Agbonlahor in any way, but I cannot forgive his attitude over the last few seasons when we needed him.

Now that the club may be turning the corner he suddenly decides he wants to be part of it. Not for me. I am unhappy that he is even travelling with the squad.

[AntrimBlack]

7 minutes ago, villa89 said:

I think the fact that he was able to get away with it for so long AND get a new contract epitomizes what was wrong with the running of the club. You can't really blame Gabby for getting away with being overweight or getting a huge salary it's the people who ran the club were at fault.

If your theory was correct, the entire squad would have done the same.

They were professional, Mr. Aston Villa was not.

[TheMelvillan]

I know whats happening here:

 

Our scene opens in the concourse of St Andrews stadium.
A buoyant Steve Bruce hands Gabby Agbonlahor a match day ticket, having let him travel to the game with the team

"Take it son" he says in his distinctive soft geordie brogue, "you. deserve. this"

Gabby grasps it with the fervour and excitement with which he has grasped a dozen paternity tests and several contract expensions in the past. "thank you gaffer", he whispers before walking towards the entrance of the stand, "I know I have said this to the last 12 managers, but..but..... I wont let you down"

Bruce watches him depart towards the stand, a knowing look in his soft, fatherly eyes. In the shadows he sees a shadowy figure in an ill fitting suit and purple glasses. They nod. The deed is done. They part to go their separate ways, wordlessly

Cut back to Gabby, taking his two seats in the packed, crumbling stand. Suddenly, his nostrils twitch, a sour stench assaulting his senses......he hears the sound of knuckles dragging and barely human chanting. Aghast he looks around....something is wrong, very wrong.. rather than the sea of glorious claret he was expecting there is nothing but stained blue shirts and bad haircuts. Some of the specimins start looking his way....the murmuring begins, then shouting, then roaring

It dawns on him what has happened "Bruuuuce, you monster....Betrayal be thine name........" he bellows, but before he can say more, they descend, clawing, primeval, brutal...and Agbonlahor...... he was gone

[GREAT_BEARD_OF_ZEUS]

First things first, do I think he's deserving of a second chance?  Truthfully, in the real world, where a fraction of his behaviour would result in him getting sacked from any other job... no.

Football is a completely different world though. A world where kids are given millions of pounds, grow up in a lavish, unrealistic lifestyle and only have the playground banter of a dressing room full of 'lads' to influence them.  No wonder so many become warped to real life values.

I'm a 36 year old man and i've made tons of mistakes, none of which thankfully have been played out in front of an audience of thousands of passionate people all with high expectations of me.  I've never had to deal with vitriol or hatred, I've never had to accept that one silly mistake or one moment of madness or poor judgement equals a torrent of constant abuse.  You might not have lowered yourself to such a level, but there are plenty of idiots out there on social media (or worse in real life) who chastise this man way beyond what he deserves - and let me tell you, it takes a far better man than me to take that on the chin and be the bigger man.

Gabby is a not so bright (sorry if you're reading GA) guy who has made mistakes... you may feel he has let you down, you probably rightly feel that he hasn't been professional, you probably feel like there are others deserving of a chance than him.  However, just for one minute think of the human aspect... someone once said to me, everybody - no matter how it looks, is fighting their own personal battle... this guy is no different.  He's f**ked up on and off the pitch by the looks of it, but put that aside for one minute and allow yourself to feel a tiny bit of sympathy, if not empathy.

Second chances don't get given out often, third, forth, fifth chances even less... but if he does get another, and it's a very big if... why not choose to believe that this is one that he'll take? Is it going to hurt that much to be that generous of a fan?  Imagine if he does?  Whatever happens it won't mean the slate is wiped clean, but it'll give him the chance, a small opportunity to say sorry.  A guy whose been a one club man, yes 'Mr Aston Villa'.... let's just give him one last go hey?

[GREAT_BEARD_OF_ZEUS]

I should also qualify that post by admitting that i've been drinking since midday and right now I feel very 'huggy'

[Czechlad]

I'd rather see Hepburn-Murphey get any minutes Gabby might.

[TRO]

15 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Well, I have seen people say Bruce is a great man manager. I agree with you, and for all the cut off nose to spit face hate, people need to realise there is a great potential asset there especially with AFCON in mind.

He is only an asset if gets him self fit to play and adds value to the team....its seems SB is giving him a chance to do that.

At present he is a liability to the club.....in his present condition.

A fit and firing Gabby, will enhance our chances of returning to the Prem and that is something that we all want.

I don't hate Gabby, despite me always having doubts about his overall game.

However, If Gabby wants to stay in these parts and be revered for the rest of his life.....He needs to get his finger out.

[TRO]

3 hours ago, carewjust4u said:

He was the captain and he was deemed too fat to play football. Physical fitness is the most basic requirement to being a professional footballer, let alone being the captain at one of the biggest clubs of arguably the biggest league in the world..I can't even begin to express how angry I am and how unforgivable that is. Can you imagine a telesales executive vital to a business losing the ability to talk at his/her own fault, for a prolonged period of time, of which contributes to significant losses to the business.....to then be forgiven...all whist earning a staggering wage/salary?

Gabby epitomizes everything that was wrong with the culture of this club and needs to be removed, albeit in a diplomatic way.

" don't look back in anger"

[Guest av1]

43 minutes ago, GREAT_BEARD_OF_ZEUS said:

Gabby is a not so bright (sorry if you're reading GA) guy 

 

For some reason when i read that i had an image of Norman Stanley Fletcher sat on his bed reading a letter to Bunny Warren. 

[rubberman]

I'm just not sure that even if he gets back into shape he's an asset.  11 goals in 80 games over the last few years just isn't good enough.  Pace was his thing and that's not going to be there at 30 however ripped he is.  There was never a poaching instinct, a good footballing brain etc, great positioning - those are the things that prolong a career when the legs start going.

[BOF]

2 hours ago, TheMelvillan said:

I know whats happening here:

 

Our scene opens in the concourse of St Andrews stadium.
A buoyant Steve Bruce hands Gabby Agbonlahor a match day ticket, having let him travel to the game with the team

"Take it son" he says in his distinctive soft geordie brogue, "you. deserve. this"

Gabby grasps it with the fervour and excitement with which he has grasped a dozen paternity tests and several contract expensions in the past. "thank you gaffer", he whispers before walking towards the entrance of the stand, "I know I have said this to the last 12 managers, but..but..... I wont let you down"

Bruce watches him depart towards the stand, a knowing look in his soft, fatherly eyes. In the shadows he sees a shadowy figure in an ill fitting suit and purple glasses. They nod. The deed is done. They part to go their separate ways, wordlessly

Cut back to Gabby, taking his two seats in the packed, crumbling stand. Suddenly, his nostrils twitch, a sour stench assaulting his senses......he hears the sound of knuckles dragging and barely human chanting. Aghast he looks around....something is wrong, very wrong.. rather than the sea of glorious claret he was expecting there is nothing but stained blue shirts and bad haircuts. Some of the specimins start looking his way....the murmuring begins, then shouting, then roaring

It dawns on him what has happened "Bruuuuce, you monster....Betrayal be thine name........" he bellows, but before he can say more, they descend, clawing, primeval, brutal...and Agbonlahor...... he was gone

Haha, enjoyed that.

[dont_do_it_doug.]

5 hours ago, carewjust4u said:

He was the captain and he was deemed too fat to play football. Physical fitness is the most basic requirement to being a professional footballer, let alone being the captain at one of the biggest clubs of arguably the biggest league in the world..I can't even begin to express how angry I am and how unforgivable that is. Can you imagine a telesales executive vital to a business losing the ability to talk at his/her own fault, for a prolonged period of time, of which contributes to significant losses to the business.....to then be forgiven...all whist earning a staggering wage/salary?

Gabby epitomizes everything that was wrong with the culture of this club and needs to be removed, albeit in a diplomatic way.

Forget the fact he was given some random honorary captains role by Tim Sherwood, it's utterly irrelevant and not something he requested, as far as I am aware. Micah Richards was the captain, but regardless neither decision (or mistake) is down to the player. That's down to the manager(s).  

Being physically unfit to play at any football club is indeed unacceptable, but is it really unforgivable? Don't get me wrong, I'm as disappointed as anyone in his behaviour last season. At the time his apology didn't wash with me, though I recognise now that he did offer one. But looking back, is any of it really that surprising? They were a rudderless dressing room, devoid of leadership, devoid of confidence and from one human being to another, I can understand why many of them went off the rails. 

Gabby, like a few notable others, then worked hard over the summer break to get himself in shape. Di Matteo, or perhaps Tony, then deemed him surplus to requirements before he had even been given a proper chance and bombed him out. A couple of decent cameos or a goal at the start of the season and who knows, maybe your "unforgivable" becomes a rendition of "he's fast as ****"?

I have also since seen Leandro Bacuna rise from the ashes of being one of the mast hated footballers at the club, by myself included, to being a very serviceable player. Hard working, well liked in the community and generally well liked in the stands. He was man of the match for many in our first away win in 14 months. There are rumours he has a shrine to The Villa in his house and that his family are regularly flown over to watch us play. I've learned something from that, that perhaps things aren't always as black and white as we all seem to think.

I keep hearing that Gabby has had loads of second chances, though I don't recall him needing one before now to be honest. I do recall rumours in the past of him running dressing rooms or whatever, but weak managers like Paul Lambert can't have helped. Sherwood, for all his faults, wouldn't have had any bollocks I'm sure and he utilised him to good effect. Never heard of such things under O'Neill. 

Last season was horrible, for all of us. Gabby included. We and he were a shambles. I for one am glad that he is heading into battle with us on Sunday, because if one man knows what it takes to put the scum in their place it's him and that overrides any other feelings I may have. For the moment at least.

Maybe it's time we all stopped looking back in anger?

Edited October 28, 2016 by dont_do_it_doug.

[dont_do_it_doug.]

4 hours ago, AntrimBlack said:

If your theory was correct, the entire squad would have done the same.

They were professional, Mr. Aston Villa was not.

Were they? Richards, Bacuna, Lescott, Okore... Grealish? 

I have forgiven all but one of those players and that's mostly because he's not here anymore to forgive. I'm kinda done with holding on to the misery.

We'll always have the inflatable cock with his face on it to look back to and chuckle... and respect to him for sticking to his word and wanting to come back from that, regardless what happens from here. The relationship was strained both ways was it not?