I’ve said ever since we signed him, that “N’zog” is, in my opinion, a very good player. One that offers something different; a twist and turn and a jinking run, that set him apart from many of his peers playing in the Villa side in the time when McLeish ruined, sorry, managed the team.
My opinion says he would be an even better option in the current side, but for some reason he hasn’t seen the light of day under Paul Lambert, this season.
Some of you will no doubt immediately jump up and say “it’s because he’s injured, you idiot” and on the face of it, you are of course correct. He has a major Achilles problem.
Now, while I do have some time for conspiracies, I also, over the years have come to realise that very often, what you see is not actually what’s happening behind the scenes. A PR facade, that covers what’s really going on, if you will.
And ever since N’Zog’s injury, I’ve often said that he’ll never kick a ball for us again.
It was just a conviction, but something I never really analysed.
So why have I bought it up now?
Well, the Birmingham Evening Mail and the Star are both running a story that suggests that N’Zog might play for us again this season, with quotes from Lambert included;
“You would think he would play before the end of the season, yes, but it’s not nice, that injury. I think his Achilles heel just went and once you get that it’s a major injury.”
Encouraging words.
Except if you look more closely, my understanding is he won’t get into the first team squad this season.
For one, he doesn’t have a squad number, which automatically precludes him, I think.
From the Beeb’s footy site;
“- Changes (to the squad, my words) can be made only during transfer windows, although in exceptional circumstances (eg goalkeeping injury crisis) moves could be allowed.”
So at best, he might make the reserve side.
(In fairness, I’m not sure what happens if you haven’t filled your quota, as I don’t believe we did.
I’m happy to be pulled up on that.)
And then, there’s the nature of his injury.
His Achilles apparently went while jogging.
Fair enough, this sort of thing happens, but are you really telling me a professional footballer at his peak can sustain an injury in this manner and can’t be recuperated in short time, given the facilities and medical skills that top clubs can call on?
I’ve just done a bit of research and a snapped Achilles should heal in 4-12 months.
I’d take that 12 months to be a worst case, eg a very aged person, whereas I’d expect a reasonably fit bloke, let alone N’Zog, to be included in that 4 months.
I quite frankly never believed the story and I’m convinced he’s quite simply been ostracised, just as Given and Hutton etc were.
The difference between N’Zog and the rest?
Charles was signed for £9-10 million, on a rumoured £57k a week (from memory), on a shocking five year deal, which means we have him on our books until July 2016!
This is quite simply bordering on criminal and makes you think of a few things.
First, who on earth sanctioned this signing?
Second, it says something about McLeish, who has boasted that he did a good job in cutting the wages (?!). The fact that he said that also goes back to the first point, if you think about it.
Was it just a marquee signing done over AM’s head?
Third, was this “all too convenient” injury just a nice, quiet way of sidelining a totally embarrassing signing that Lambert can’t handle with the aim being that we might just forget about him?
My further questions are, if indeed N’Zog has been ostracised as I suspect, isn’t this just total madness?
And shouldn’t we be looking to get him back in the side, given that I also suspect he’s been asked to leave, but has basically stuck two fingers up and said “I want to play and I’m not going anywhere for less money”?
But how’s that going to work, if Lambert simply doesn’t want him because he costs too much?
A total disaster, whichever way you look at it, in that case.
Of course, I could be talking total rubbish and he is quite simply injured, as the club say.
In which case, go on then, let’s hear the slating. I can take it.
Nath agreed…KEA is totally not good enough. He has a big heart but nowhere near PL class IMO. Big two games coming up and I am hoping for at least 4 points from them. If w hcan get six we will be virtually safe as Cardiff or West Ham will be quite a way behind us! Maybe then, give Gardner a shot!
I think Gardner has a lot to give avfc. I think he is a player in the Lampard mould. If he can get 8,9,10 games in this season we may see a top player emerge next season. Unfortunately it would be typical for us to let him go and see him flourish somewhere else.
reckon kea has 100%work rate and when you play most of your game without the ball it requires players to really put in a shift constanly harrying, closing down and chasing for 70% of almost every game. may gardner doesn’t have the legs for it considering his injuries, maybe he’ll get there, god knows we need something like gardner or zog or in fact anyone to offer some alternative to the essentially same player we have in delph, westwood, kea and sylla.
although personally I believe the type of player we really need in this type of position needs to be bought in with some decent movement in the transfer market in the summer.
provided we stay up of course.
lanford, our next 4 games:
west ham (h)
Cardiff (a)
Newcastle (a)
Norwich (h)
our season could well be pretty much safe after just these 4 games, got to expect at least 6 pts from this lot surely?
although being a villa fan im also aware that vlarr maybe out again and last time this happened I think we lost 4 in a row. loose these four games or pick up 3/4 pts and things will still look dodgy to me.
we are well capable of winning the next 4 games. equally we are just as capable of loosing them all too.
Have to admit KEA is one of the best midfielders at breaking up play, he hounds the opposition. If i am honest he just has nothing else to his game
I love conspiracy theories, thats why I love this forum…..
Was the £57k pw info from the press? If so we’re looking at more £35k then. No other team is going to pay that for him, especially as he’s had a serious injury so im guessing he will be with us until his contract expires.
I hope we do see him playing for us again. I think he can do a job better than half the midfield we have atm.
Helinius, the £57k was touted by every source going, which is all we can comment on.
But yes, it was from the press and probably was a max wage, with all clauses met, same as any other top signing (which was Gabby when he renewed???) at the time.
Regardless, he was one of the highest paid players, with only Ashley Young ever being offered higher, at £60k (iirc), which was laughed at and why he went to Man U for a lot more.
If the real wage was nearer £35k and Lambert is paying less than we think in transfer fees (as was suggested by him), then Lerner is tighter than I already think.
True, if it is £57k pw, with the likes of the rest of the bomb squad on similar wages you can totally see why Lerners pulled in the reigns heavily in recent seasons. Completely understandable and has a small piece of respect from me for getting us to the stage we are currently at financially, while still in top flight football (however risky and close to the championship we’ve come)
He made huuuuuuge mistakes allowing this to happen, but then he was new to the game and I assume took what his advisor / managers said as gospel.
He’s got experience now and is an astute businessman. If he wants Villa to succeed as a club I’m sure he’ll do right by us, whether that’s loosening those reigns or selling.
it is starting to look like the purse strings are going to be released for the summer. Hints have been coming from the Mail.
This does look like it is true because the bomb squad have gone albeit a couple left. The books should be balanced by the end of the season, we are also getting extra revenue from Sky.
On gary gardner the ball is in his court now, he is fit and given the chance i hope he takes it with both hands. His injuries have set his career back no end, i hope he comes in and gives our midfield another dimension, he also has a goal in him.
The guy deserves a chance but at the same time he now has to take it or his premier league career is over
Gardner played in the U21s loss to Reading the other day. He’ll be both a) getting game time and b) watched closely. Let’s hope he makes something of it.
yep we might get £20m to spend instead of £10m big wow. And do we trust Lamberk to spend it i dont. Remember the club will start announcing season ticket renewal prices for next season in next month or so so its all bollox imo
There’s one they wont, its going to take more than words for me to spend money at the club, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.
Spot on bill unfortunately too many supporters are gullible and are taken in by the pr bullshit of us being linked to big names
where do i send the money lmao
Saturdays match is massive, like earlier posts stated we need 2 collect some points. hopefully confidence hasn’t been dented in dressing room by the goodison showing.
heard earlier hammers trying 2 sweet talk the fa 2 allow carrol 2 play / did they succeed hope not. its bulshit if they do
They’re looking at the legalities of it all, the FA turned down their appeal. There games without him is a nightmare, especially since it clearly wasn’t merited. Flores should have been sent off on a stretcher and certainly had his face closely examined since he was clutching it so hard.
Not that I’m complaining too much mind, he’d not be fun to be up against. As it is they have six in midfield and that’s going to be enough of a handful.
ur rite foxy
they will either do the midfielder thing like they did against spurs (strikerless) or cole will be lone range ~ we will av 2 play with patience, as they will come 2 frustrate us
ps carrol would av murdered us vlaar~less
don’t think carol or west ham will get away with this one, you could tell be the replay he did it on purpose, it was a deliberate action and right in front of the ref.
it was soft contact and chico is a wanker but they aint gonna get that card revoked, they should give it up.