22 Oct 2015 17:02:19
For many, many years I have more or less disliked Stan Collymore. I wasn't sure whether it was because he was a bit irritating and arrogant when he broadcasts, or whether it's because he likes to wind people up on twitter and then block them when they dare reply. but deep down, I always knew that it was because of what I feel he "did" to the Villa, in the sense of being a top player, joining his boyhood club and bar a handful of good performances, milk us dry and leave, essentially.
It has also annoyed me in the past when like just recently in his little statement aimed at the club for sacking him. That this is "his" Villa etc and he would get a plane, train, bus etc for them. But yet had the opportunity once upon a time and didn't take it.
However only recently has I started to see things a little differently.
For all those reasons I mentioned above besides the twitter bit, would also completely apply to Gabby Agbonlahor, well except him being a top player, sadly Gabby peaked about 4 seasons ago and has declined rapidly since, yet as a "die hard" supporter just like stan, is one of the highest earners at the club, yet provides very little, certainly no more than anyone else on far less money who don't claim to love the club.
I personally think that if Stan wants to start any little 'supporters group or petition' or do anything to pay the club back it should be to demand Gabby takes 50% pay cut and we use that 30k to bring in another striker in Jan!
Some of you may think I am being harsh but it's just a case of reality, last week on his birthday the mail produced a happy birthday article showcasing ALL his Villa goals to date, I honestly think that is A MUST read article for every Villa fan as I'm sure most of them really don't have any idea just how poor his record is and has been for some time.
You want to try and narrow down the root cause of Villas problems? Look at the common denominators, essentially anyone who has been in a serious capacity there since MON left.
22 Oct 2015 17:42:00
Hi fplmorg.
You don`t have to explain to me about being harsh on Agbonlahor mate.
He has milked Villa for years and is far from being a top player or a legend in my eyes, he has had 2 seasons at best wearing a Villa shirt.
For whatever reason all of our most recent managers have persisted in his name being on the team sheet, why I ask?
I am like you guys, just a run of the mill everyday bloke who loves his family, his pint, and his beloved Villa, but even I can see he ain`t good enough.
Loyalty does not come into this at all, he knows which side his bread is buttered.
I also agree with the rest of you post, well said.
22 Oct 2015 21:55:53
Although gabby isn't prolific he is a handful for opposition teams an creates space/chances for other players. Having met him as well I can tell you he is a top lad. Next time we all sing his name make sure you 2 sit down an be quiet. It
It's obvious the problem is at the top now you 2 are trying to blame gabby. Laughable.
22 Oct 2015 22:24:05
I am not blaming Agbonlahor for our current situation, I am just making a point about a player who I feel is not good enough, it`s my opinion mate.
If that offends you tough, I say it as it is, as fplmorg has pointed out take a look back at his record for us its shocking.
I have met him as well and yes he seems ok to talk too, that does not make him a good player.
And yes as you say the problem is at the top, but it also runs all through the club.
That said you can sit down now and let people make a point, and laugh about it, is that good enough for you?
22 Oct 2015 22:26:59
Better make that 3 mate
Gabby is pitiful. The fact that he is apparently a "top lad" off the pitch has little impact on me.
23 Oct 2015 01:28:37
Yes pretty shocking. Our overall prem league top goal scorer. Really really bad. Show the lad some respect
"Milked villa for years" and you call your self supporters!
Where is the support! Maybe if we didn't have as many doom an gloom merchants watching us we would do a little better. Gabby always try's his best an if a player gives his all that's good enough for me.
23 Oct 2015 14:09:33
I also mentioned our problems were at the top, if you read up, i essentially blamed anyone who has been there for significant time, they all share the blame (some far more so than others) but that's not our only problems. We have problems within our own fanbase. y
Your blind defence of Gabby only goes to prove just how fall Villa as a club must have fallen, if he's a top lad because he gave you the time of day in person, or occasionally he might cause a defence some problems in your opinion still doesn't justify top wages and a regular starting place., he is a STRIKER playing for the club he LOVES and just about averaging a goal every 7/8 games, it's NOT good enough.
Be realistic how many other teams in the premier league would Gabby play regularly for? If he was at a top 6 club they'd have gotten rid 3 years ago! probably to us!
I wasn't blaming the whole clubs state on a player, I never have, I never will, that would be insane.
I am simply adding my own personal criticism of a player that for the most part is protected by the club and most supporters, but for you to retort saying I should sit down and shut up effectively because I'm willing to state my opinion on a website intended for EXACTLY that purpose is just rude.
I am all for supporting the team, I was a season ticket holder for 9 years up until last season! And like I said in a previous post, the least I expect in return is for the club to meet me halfway.
I've heard for many, many years Emile Heskey was a really nice bloke, and two years ago I bumped into him in Brum airport and I can confirm that he is a genuinely humble and very pleasant, but that didn't change my opinion of him as a footballer, or change my opinion of the performances he put in for Villa. That's irrelevant to what his personality is like.
I'm sure Randy Lerner is a really "top bloke" to his friends and family, but what difference does that make to his ability as an owner?
23 Oct 2015 14:11:49
PS. If I played for Villa I would give my absolute all for them every second I was on or off the pitch, it would be an honour just to be there, so by your logic I deserve a contract also.
23 Oct 2015 15:27:17
Yeah, I take it all back; Gabby is the finest palyer to put on a Villa shirt. The fact that he does it for as little as £60 to 70K a week make his efforts even more laudable
I dunno what I was thinking of.
Jesus Christ. (I've stopped talking about Gabby now; just in case you were confused)
23 Oct 2015 15:30:24
P. S : the fact that he is our "overall prem league top goal scorer" is more of a sad endictment of our achievements in the Premier league than of anything else.
23 Oct 2015 19:23:08
I didn't realise we were a top six club sorry I must have had the table upside down. Champions league here we come!
23 Oct 2015 19:37:26
It's not that long ago that we regularly were mate.
23 Oct 2015 20:02:20
Right I'm not going to jump on the band wagon here about gabby
But it does seem he is getting a lot of the blame here
It was those at the top the gave him his over paid wages (I'm sure gabby was picking his lips when he renewed his contract
He played his best football under O Neill and that was out on the wing when he could use his pace
During that time he had a lot of better players around him
As a forward I do think gabby is pretty clueless he needs to be running at defender's
To be fair gabby should have moved on maybe 3 seasons ago he needs a new challenge now
It goes to show how bad we have been under Lerner if he is our top scorer Carew, Bent, these were top notch players and we just let them go so at moment guys gabby probably offers the best of what we have
It think we wasted 50 million this summer.
24 Oct 2015 12:04:32
I would argue that Gestede, Sinclair and Kozak are all as good as, and just as likely to score as many goals as Gabby this season if given the same opportunities. And I might be sticking my neck out here but I wouldn't be surprised if both Ayew and Traore out score him this season too!
However I totally agree it only showcases how far from grace Villa have fallen to have Gabby as our top goalscorer and to think of some of the better players we've had at the club we've let go too easilly whilst keeping hold of him.