Ashley Young and the Chelsea perspective
Monday, 06 October 08, 10:35 AM · Comments (33)
I'm going about this backward because my attention span at the start of this really stupid international break starts to go a little strange and relaxed, but it's important to look at yesterday for exactly what it was.
We lost to the team that is likely to win the Premier League this season with a team of players that are probably all internationals, who would probably all walk into the Aston Villa team. I don't mind losing to Chelsea, it would be losing on a regular basis to teams like Middlesbrough, Manchester City or Spurs that would worry me and I don't think that is going to happen this season.
It does on the other hand go to emphasise the huge gulf between us and the likes of Chelsea and the Champions League. It's okay to have these plans of qualifying for the Champions League, which I still think is possible this season if not next, but competing in it is going to be extremely difficult and if we're serious, it's going to need significant investment.
Our midfielders and strikers yesterday were put into pockets and kept there for most of the game. We saw moments when we looked like we could have done something but then the Chelsea players simply put us back in. It demonstrated the difference in quality and the real need, if we are going to compete, of more players and/or our youngsters to really kick on.
But this is the perspective part; it's Chelsea and they are in a league of their own and we only conceded two. We have a young squad that could in the next few season, really kick on.
Talking of youngsters, Ashley Young looks like he's about to sign a new contract and he's the type of player that we need to be keeping hold of because he's the type of player that really could turn into something special. James Milner on the other hand ... well, he's still got time to show us but I think he needs to start a few games also.
So, this international break means we've got nothing to look forward to this week apart from paper talk, speculation and whatever garbage the club site deem good enough to serve us. I'm thinking about getting on the beer.
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33 Comments · Add yours
Wise words as ever. We should keep it in perspective. Chelsea will win the league this year. And on top of that they'll go very close in the CL too. As well as no doubt get to the FA and/or Carling Cup finals too.
No shame in losing to them. Especially when we caught them on a 'good' day. What I'm trying to say is our aim (this year/next year?) is simply qualifying for the CL. Chelsea's realistic aim is to win it. There's huge difference.
I love what MoN said after the game. Gave them the praise they were due, and said that thats the level we need to aspire to.
Fingers crossed Ashley signs. He is irreplaceable for us (and yes, I know he needs to raise his game each time he comes up against a real top class international full back). Don't think Chelsea or Man U would want him. But Liverpool may do. And anyone outside of those would snap our hands off for him. Please sign up soon Ashley.
Well I just had a go at the Daily Mail hackman for arguing that Young and Gabby have to leave for a big four club to get into the England squad. Rubbish journalism, probably eminating from an idiot who qualified from the same journalism school as most 'football writers' (yourself not included Damian).
If Ashley Young signs thats the best news we could get. The lad will develope into an outstanding player. Sort of glad he didn't make the England squad too, refreshed and ready to play against Pompey.
Milner is as good a prospect as Young as he will prove once he's given a chance in the side.
It doesn't worry me that we lost to Chelsea, its just disappointing that we've finally come back to earth with a crash... Hopefully pick it up again against Pompey, hoping we don't perform anything like the corresponding fixture last year.
Good news about AY nearing a new deal, i think he deserves it, he's done well for us the last season or so... Not too bothered he's not in the England squad, keeps the risk of injury at a minimum!!
I also think its probably better that Young isn't in the England team, but it still gets me angry how that stupid 'Where's Wally' lookalike LINK is blind to Ashley's ability, and still picks people like Downing who have had their chance for England recently and blew it!
.....Then again, I loved it when Barry got in the England team, and as a result, due to everyone noticing his ability and trying to poach him, has gone from hero to zero for me! (And affected his consistency)
any idea when the group stage of UEFA is to be drawn up?
tomorrow.
why does ashley young never play well against the good teams?
does he become to defensive?
james_villa
AY is no doubt a talent, but he is not at his best when playing against players that are simply better. At times he reminds me of a school kid who knows he wont score or get the ball and then sulks.
Now, if we were to bring in players above his qualty and experience then he may realise that he has a fair way to go.
In the words of Fergie re Ince "big time charlie". Sorry thats the way I see him this season.
Give Milner and Delboy a run, take out Gabby and Young.
Saying all that I can see me shouting for Young against Pompey if it is 0-0 after 14 seconds!!
Delighted to see Ashley is not in England Team. He's time will come but for now it's all about the Villa and he's our key man so the rest will do him no harm.
Cuellar and Milner need to start.
i think cuellar may start against pompey but milner won't. MON won't drop petrov or barry, young is usually our best attacking player and reo coker is our best player.
he could drop young or shorey? and put reocoker or barry as fullback to play milner but has he done anything so far to deserve a start?
Do you know thatw e would have to play another 13 games to win the UEFA cup? Thats 1/3 of a league season. Christ if we qualify out of the group stages we better sign more players.
Ashley could do with a Daddyfucker cheese burger to beef him up a bit!!!
Hmm, Daddyfucker cheeseburger Ahhhhhhhgh
i feel a bit disapointed today but the draw tomorrow will give us a lift!
bring on AC
i ve just read the funniest bit of gossip ever.
apparently pulis thinks he can get milner on loan!
Where did you see that James?
That's the biggest load of bollocks i've heard today....
LINK
all milner needs is a bit of time to settle
it always takes time and gametime for new guys to get real good..
I agree George, But he hasn't had a proper game yet!
2 things.
1. It's a team game. Very, very few players can play in a vacuum, seemingly unaffected by the form of those around them or the team style and formation. Look how crap Lampard has looked for England at times. And it's the flair players that are usually affected most. The one's who need that bit of space created to shine. To criticise individuals when the team has been roundly beaten is unfair and unjustified.
2. We do not have a settled team yet. The defence is wrong and the midfield is badly wrong. It will take time for the new boys to be integrated and for the natural balance and dynamics of a team to be established. Everyone has a different idea of how the team should shape up with everyone available. Personally I don't like a holding midfielder in a 442, but whatever, I don't believe MON knows, you never do until you try things and are tested against the top opposition. This is why we have to wait until next year to have a hope of finishing top four.
Liamvilla,
Saying we should drop Young, our most creative player, the player who has set up a large percentage of a goals this season and last season - is crazy.
He does not sulk. I agree Gabby sulks. If you ask me Young however lacks confidence. He runs at players early in games and if he succeeds is skinning them, has the game of his life. He gets up against a top right back, fails to get past them a few times and then looks scared to attack the defence.
Hopefully it will come with experience. I am sure MON is telling him to get down that wing. It's traditional football and he's a traditional manager. Hit that by line!
The fact that Chelski brought their A game to the table shows that they had a healthy respect for us!!!Top 4 is never gonna happen though, not this year not any year
has everyone forgotten that the uefa cup draw is tomorrow. theres a possibility that we could be in a very tasty group.
I would love to see Ac at Villa Park.
Please...
milner on loan to to stoke for rest of season really made me laugh but i think some news paper got it mixed up with routledge to wolves on loan
Good article Damian. Couldnt agree more.
Reading through everyones comments, and I think a lot of people here are underestimating the potential of Aston Villa this year. Chelsea will win the league this year, with the team they have. Compared to a lack-of-confidence Arsenal at times, a Gerrard-Torres dominated Liverpoo and a Ronaldo Man Utd they are the most complete football team in england, if not in europe, if not on the planet. [i cant stant Chelski for the record but credit where credit is due].
Does this loss mean top 4 is a million miles away?? God no! Arsenal are struggling to get theyre act together without the likes of flamini and liverpool have been reliant this year on gerrard and torres, and i dont care wat any scouse says that is fact!! man utd look shaky without ronaldo, and despite their quality, need him in the team. theyll still finish top 2 i believe tho.
Aston Villa are still finding their feet and out of all the contenders for a top 4 spot [villa, spurs?, evo?, pompey?, man citeh?, west ham?] we are probably the best situated at this part of the season to really kick on. But as Damian said we really need to kick on. And i think we need 5 in midfield, reo-coker holding, barry and petrov attacking down the middle, milner and young on their respective wings, carew up front. we have seen from last year we dont need 20-goal strikers to get a stack of goals. we have an attack minded team that will get goals from all over the park from carew to laursen, to barry.
Just on Ashely Young, i think the guy just needs some confidence playing against top sides. He has the potential to be a great winger, and hes still young. Give him time, and his execptional performances this year, will be the norm.
But, hey a loss to chelesa at stamford bridge ?? could be worse!! ive rambled enough lol. Apologises for that, still a youngen at uni and i sorta extended my opinons like i would in my uni writings.
UTV!!
Well said Ramonicus.
Arsenal will simply drop too many daft points this season to be streets ahead of 5th place. They may well end up in 4th, but it'll be close. They've got a soft spine, and as Wenger knows....no real leaders on the pitch. Or more correctly, no leaders when things ain't going well.
wonderful, wonderful footballing team on their day. But I genuinely do think that Arsenal will be in our sights come May time. All we need is the belief.
i also think the scouse will be in our sights aswell,they might be doing well at the moment but they will def have a sticky patch,apart from stevie ME AND torres they are no better than us
People just don't give us enough credit for what we're trying to do!!!
But we're so inconsistent sometimes and that is a big down side to us...
Liverplop can be in our sights, as can the Arse... as long as we get results against the sides we should be getting results from i.e Sunderland, Boro, Fulham, Wigan, Hull, Spurs! Any team thats not the big four we should really beat...
Injury to torres or/and Gerrard and Liverplop are f**ked...
I'm disappointed to see that Ashely does not take on defenders 1v1 anymore. Not only does this cause his deliveries to come from poor positions with no angle what so ever, but they have been poor of late too.
Seems to be low on confidence really, so I'm hoping MON can turn this around asap.
Come on AC Milan! Hope we get them at home! Imagine Ronaldinho comin to Villa Park!?
Tough Group!
ashley young will stay because he is playing for the new team on the block