Ok, so I put Savage in the title, but “Gippo” was springing to mind, much the same as he gets called in the game, by us Villa fans
From some of the personal stories I’ve heard though (from noses and Derby fans), he’s actually a very decent bloke, who somewhat plays on his notoriety.
You can’t fault anyone for that, as we all have to make a living, although any suggestions that he has done it on the back of false pretences might be perfectly valid, in my opinion.
Seriously though, he made a very good point in the Mirror;
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/robbie-savage-column-cant-understand-2237467
asking why we’ve bought in a couple of trendy names (kids) to the England squad, when we have players at the Villa, as in Gabby and Delph, looking very good; just the same, but with a bit more behind them.
It strikes me this is all part of a fad, where the English game in general is moving to a trend where we have to look to up and coming kids.
While I can see this from an England side of things (we all know Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard aren’t going to take us anywhere), what does this say about our players who aren’t in the media spotlight, but who are doing pretty well?
It’s just another side of the game I don’t like.
If you’re not trendy, as in London or the north west, forget it.
It’s why we have no hope of ever winning a World Cup again, in my opinion.
I’m absolutely shocked that Agbonlahor hasn’t been called up.
I’ve said this before about Hodgson, he doesn’t pick players on form, but on the club they play for. I remember when he selected just about every English Liverpool player into the team.
He is very bias, and I think he’s gotten it wrong. Why should Defoe, he is yet to start a Premier League game for Spurs get selected? Townsend and Young likewise?
I think Hodgson should look at more Villa players, because, I think I am correct in saying this. Aston Villa have produced the most English players out of any club?
But I shouldn’t be judging the situation, I’m not English. What bothers me most is the development of Chris Herd, he needs more game time before the World Cup!
Yep we’ve produced more England players than any other club, the last I read.
Doesn’t mean much though, as I’m sure the Royal Engineers might have produced a few in the day 🙂
Interestingly though, I’d see Gabby as an option, whereas I see Delph (if he continues to progress) as more the likely target. He could be the new Gerrard.
Hope not or he will be of to sky 4 soon as well!! Delph yes gabby no. As much as I love gabby at villa and always want him to do well he s not really England class as lets face it he hasn’t got the best football brain n the world. If he was Scottish or welsh for example then fair enough as its not as fixed as England selection and less competition with lower expectations.
But come on, Gabby’s as good as any English player who plays on the left. I’ve read a lot about this “English class”, but the fact is is that English class is of Gabby’s standard. Especially on the wing. Him on the left, Walcott on the right is the best England can do. There’s no one “above” his class as a player.
Fair point u suppose its worth giving him a go at least. Basically if he was in utds reserves now he would be a regular. No wonder the national team are a joke
Sturridge up front, Walcott on the Right, Gabby on the Left. That’s one of the fastest trio you’re going to get in football that can actually produce. Probably wouldn’t be struggling so much in qualifiers if manager’s got to pick who they actually wanted instead of being forced to pick under-performing former greats.
Having said that from a selfish pov I don’t like our players being called up as that’s when they start getting their heads turned by sky 4 players then of course there are injuries and tiredness and we have a small squad. Add to that that most of our players only get to play in the meaningless friendliest so the the sky 4 can rest their players and feign injury when it suits IMO.
Delph has been a revelation this season. He was playing well towards the end of last year, but he has been outstanding in the first 4 games, esp given the opposition. I think before the season Westwood would be the only midfielder guaranteed to start…I think now that is Delph. Hope he can keep it up. Although, I have a feeling he will hit 10 yellows by xmas!
The England side now appears to be more appeasing the sponsors than building a team capable of winning.
totally spot on BWS
Been like that for years the manager is always a puppet that has to play ball with what the sponsors and media want. If sponsors say play Rooney even though he has been shit for years for England then hodgson has no choice or he will lose his job. If sponsers that sponser England sponser the players as well then there is a huge conflict of interest. The reason Redknapp and clough didn’t get the job is simply because they are not yes men and would do it their way.
savage is spot on the England set up is and always will be totally bias and always extremely frustrating for the everyone outside of the set up, the players, how the fuck danny wellbeck consistantly gets in with 1 premier league goal last season is beyond me while ricki lambert gets his 1st call up only just and sits out as a sub for most of the match, that’s just one point there are many, many others.
woy hodgson said last week the the 0-0 bore fest of man utd vs Chelsea was ‘the best game of the season so far’ !!!!this is what we are and have always been up against with England.
as for delph and gabby, delphs progress this season has been fantastic, its like someone has lit a fire under him.
anyways they’ll never get in the England squad coz defoe, wellbeck, and jack fuckin rodwell are so much better according to woy hodgson(if he even picks the fuckin team!)
probably just as well coz as ooah mentioned the only time they’ll get a game is in friendlies that players like lampard and co cant be arsed with.
That’s the point NM he dosnt pick the team he us a puppet for the sponsors
if the guys continue 2 shine, hodgson will have 2 leave London and check us out ~ yes gabby is a must, delph and westwood and lowton av all outside chances ~ but getting in2 squad is a carrot for more top performances for the villa
Gabby isn’t England class haha i love it! He is just as fast if not faster than Walcot, has a better cross even with his left and scores more in a wide position, Walcot has better link up play that’s it! And England play very very direct especially under woy so link up play is useless! I don’t tink gabby should start for England but in the squad he is a no brainer, 20 mins left drawing or losing (which England normally are) tired legs bring on gabby and he will blitz any defender simple. Delph will play for England at some stage, at the moment i can’t see a better English player at breaking up the ball and using it wisely, he schooled your precious Jack! He lacks creativity that’s why villa need a creative mid with him.
Your forgetting one imp factor Kerry Walcott plays for sky 4 arsenal whilst gabby plays for bottom 4 villa
Hull City are giving City a game at the Etihad. If Steve Bruce has anything going for him, his teams don’t give up and will attack no matter who.
Davies and Chester are also having solid games, yes… Curtis Davies.
Andrew, Huddlestone he was the key in Hulls defense Livermore, Davis we could have done with them.
Huddlestone and Livermore are decent players but they aren’t upgrades to what we have. I’d prefer Chester to Davies but though Davies had a solid game.
F all that.. any transfer rumors floating about?
I saw Ireland to Middlesbrough earlier. Bannan to palace still floating around. Love Lambert to surprise us with a quality signing.
I have wondered for ages why Lambert wasn’t called up and as soon as he is, he scores. I’d prefer it if Gabby wasn’t called up, he has been a little injury prone, but he deserves it and is easily good enough.
Do you rearly think we have another in the pot ? I will gamble that’s it for now. If there was any rumours it would be out by now from inside the club, believe me, if by any chance there was a signing it will be a nobody. Imo.
Can’t see anyone coming in thou there will be some bullshit story on Monday about how we tried to sign Messi for £200m but he turned us dwn the usual bollocks. I’m absolutely appalled that Lerner has only spent around £10m and we still need a creative midfielder a cb and dm. It’s criminal that these positions havnt been addressed. Lerner just trying to survive on the cheap again Lerner out!!
It’s quite obvious as to why we’re not bringing anyone else in. It’s been pointed out a fair few times.
Need a play maker IMO. Can’t have a net spend of only 7.5M. ESP with a fair few bargains floating around.
It’s not often I agree with you lately Ooah, but you’re right on this one.
Lack of spend + extra £30 mill from Sky + massive wage bill cut = nice payback for Lerner.
Although another late decent signing wouldn’t surprise me though, which would make me back off a bit.
Hope so badger.
The problem still is the amount of players Villa have. It’s been quite obvious from the get go that it has nothing to do with wages anymore, nor does it have to do with how much Lerner’s willing to spend, and has everything to do with Villa’s squad being too big and the amount of players that will be put into the squad when they’re not sold as they’re not going to get paid to do nothing, as Lerner and Lambert will want them as an option.
Anyone just see ince goal for blackpool? Good dribble and finish. Wonder if Lambert might want him a bit more now.
Yep good goal I’m starting to prefer watching lower league football instead of overhyped sky 4 bollocks. Would like ince but we need a dm ch and creative midfielder more
The sky money you get paid end of season. I suppose if we finish around tenth this season and in summer have 40M to buy 3/4 quality played with. We will all be happy..
Only problem is Benteke will most likely be off.. Two steps forward one step back springs to mind…….
We Shoukd get £40m plus for Benteke if he keeps this form up esp if he has a good wc. But u can be certain Lerner won’t be giving all that bk to lambert even though he will receive the sky money as well.
Can definitely see Lerner giving Lambert 40m if Benteke was sold, we finished around 10 and receiving the sky money. I could see even more than that.
Well he coukd afford to give that now but he won’t
Stu Pearce said after the shite euros u21s that Ross Barkley made too many poor decicions yet after a good game for everton at Norwich he is in the England squad fookin beggars belief .No wonder Englad are shite.
TMW are claiming we’re in for Diogo Viana, They at times have their own sources and once claimed we have a deal for him to join in January, beating Parma, so this could be totally made up.
I don’t think the England team makeup has anything to do with sponsors. Hobson is ultra cautious, and will stick pretty much with the same bunch of players even when they have failed to deliver. Barkley is just one of the odd players tried at an early stage as lip service to the idea of progression and accelerating development. The problem with England is the FA and its successive managers who fit their profile of avoiding controversy or perceived risk, along with a Premiership full of foreign imports and taking priority over England success.
It would be nice to see Villa players get recognition, but may not be good for them or us in the long run. Personally, I get less interested in England with every competition.
Me to bored shirtless with international football especially friendlys and meaningless qualifying games I don’t even bother watching anymore
Hodgson. Bloody autocorrect.