TRO Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I may be wrong here, but I just get a sense of deja vu with the likes of Lee Hendrie. There are some players that have endeared them selves to the terraces by virtue of their "badge kissing" and play the "loyalty card" which is great for some fans and not so convincing to others. I am a fan that looks for effect in a player ( i.e how much they are effecting our performance) I have always felt a sense of meloncholy towards Gabby and Hendrie( and a few others) in as much as I think they was too comfortable and was at the club in periods of transition when the club had not performed well in the transfer market. Competition for these types have been questionable and performances have reflected this. You can only hope that the Landscape has changed and Gabby will have to fight for his place. How does he do that? Score goals. I can't ever remember Agbonlahor kissing the Villa badge. It's his 50+ goals for Villa that has endeared him to the fans. We shouldn't just write someone off just because he's in a run of bad form. If that was the case no one would last more than 6 months at a time at any club. The badge kissing was metaphorically speaking....Not Literally. I have never been as bought on Gabby as some of our other strikers like Dwight Yorke, Dean Saunders etc. I think the 50 Goals is very commendable, but I'm sorry if I'm sounding a bit ungrateful, but I don't seem to see the player scoring match winning goals in the same vein as Withe & Gray as an example. I thought the same about Vassell, when he was been held up as the player of the terraces, local boy with the Lion Heart, just don't get it.... so its nothing personal to Gabby. I simply don't see Gabby (as a player) as some do.Felt the same about Hendrie too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Hendry was nowhere near as good as Gabby as a Villa player, so I don't know how you can compare the two. Gabby on form is a huge asset for the team, and its not his fault that the two or so years he's continually been played out of position. Combine that with the injuries he's picked up and it's no wonder his form has suffered. I think he's an excellent striker. Stick him up front with Bent and we'll see the best of him. Put him on the wing and he'll continue to frustrate. Sell him and he'll come back and haunt us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 How many games without a goal is it now? 25ish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 How many games without a goal is it now? 25ish? How many times in those 25 games did he come off the bench and/or played out of position? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 It has been a long time since we have seen the best of Gabby for a prolonged period. Injury and the role he has sometimes been asked to fill has played some part in this. He has had the odd game or moment in a game on occasion that he has shown us a reminder of the player he has and can be but he has reached the crossroads now. He could have been an England regular and should be a starter with us up front game in and game out but it is something you have to work to earn and wherever and whenever you get a first team appearance you have to prove to any boss that he has no alternative other than to play you in the starting line up for the following game. The ball is now firmly in Gabby's court. He has the ability and should be at his playing peak now so he needs to show the motivation and the will to prove those who may doubt him that he can be a regular scorer and a player who stays involved in games for 90 minutes or this may prove another season that passes him by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Hendry was nowhere near as good as Gabby as a Villa player, so I don't know how you can compare the two. Gabby on form is a huge asset for the team, and its not his fault that the two or so years he's continually been played out of position. Combine that with the injuries he's picked up and it's no wonder his form has suffered. I think he's an excellent striker. Stick him up front with Bent and we'll see the best of him. Put him on the wing and he'll continue to frustrate. Sell him and he'll come back and haunt us. The comparison was simply this : Both local boys both was on huge wages both was at the club at a time of modest competition for their place both (imo) have debatable effect on our results both played for England on the odd occassion and finally (IMO) both overrated by the majority of our supporters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMcgrathsknees Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 How many games without a goal is it now? 25ish? How many times in those 25 games did he come off the bench and/or played out of position? Played up top when Bent was out last year. Remember thinking he could be Englands centre forward for the Euros as all the strikers were dropping down injured. Then what happens? Plays gash and looks like he's not interested? I had put that down to McLeish. Now I have to just think he's not all that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I'd start Gabby on Sunday. Get him running down the left as from what I've seen of WBA's last few games Billy Jones at RB is a weak link. He conceded a penalty at Fulham when Kalinekic just run at him and he looked dodgy against Reading who are hopeless when McAnuff ran at him a few times. He's lacking sharpness but I'd fancy him to cause more havoc than N'zogbia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanthemanisgod Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 To be fair to Gabby he clearly had an issue with Houllier, as did most of the squad, and the less we say about last season as a whole the better! I still remember him scoring the winner against Manure, winning a pen in the Carling cup final (which should have sent us on the way to winning that game), yes he's not the sharpest or most talented but his pace is such an asset when used properly. As a defender who played to a decentish level, I would always rather have a slower player who thought he was Ronaldo trying several step overs in front of me because unless they are as good as Ronaldo it's easier to defend against than somebody with proper pace, the ability to knock the ball past somebody and then just blitz them in the a foot race is so difficult to defend against, you either need to get so tight you get to the ball first (and risk getting turned) or give them a few yards which is all a player like gabby needs to get clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morpheus Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Not sure whether Gabby has the same blistering pace anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valhalla Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 He`s like a lazy Darius vassell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 He looked lightening when he came on against Newcastle but looked pretty useless on Saturday. I firmly believe that this season is 'last chance saloon' for Gabby at the Villa. I'm sure he'll be given some sort of run in the side but he's sure as hell gonna have to impress given the competition up top now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazdavies79 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 His goals and assist record was the best out of the whole squad last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted September 25, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted September 25, 2012 I think he looks chunky to be honest. No idea if that's affecting his play or not. Just an observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Scored tonight and has played really well. I think in this free flowing attacking football under Lambert he will be a big player for us this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 So as I was saying.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Bear Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Plenty of people in this thread will be eating humble pie tonight :D Not me though, I've always stood by our Gabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 He's back! Hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Plenty of people in this thread will be eating humble pie tonight am chuffed he had a brilliant game but its only 1 performance. he needs to do everyweek and i will happily eat humble pie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Has to be given a run of games after this. His first goal was excellent link up play with Benteke and composed finished. He made space brilliantly for his second goal as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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