Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Saturday June 21 2008
Time: 11:28AM
UK time is: 05:33:59
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Sidwell - Good Or Great + Chelsea Fan Opinion
Vital Villa asked, in our last poll, following reports that Villa had agreed a fee for Steve Sidwell:
Steve Sidwell - Good Signing?
60% said he was a 'Good' signing
30% went one further and voted that he'd be a 'Great' signing.
That left just 6% saying he would be an average arrival and 4% thinking he would be a poor signing.
We also asked Merlin from Vital Chelsea some while back his opinions on the link, I thought now would be as good a time as any to show you his answers again!
With Steve Sidwell being linked in a £7million move to Villa, I thought I'd ask you Chelsea guys a few questions.
1) What did he cost Chelsea from Reading and were you surprised that sort of player was brought in?
We got him on a free, his contract was up so we took advantage of the rules to use him to bolster the squad with a view to playing him whilst the Africans were away at the African Cup of Nations!
2) He doesn't seem to have had much of a chance at Chelsea, is that because of his form or just down to competition for places?
He's only started seven times I believe. He wasn't able to push aside the established stars and even when Essien and Mikel were away in Africa, he didn't shine as much as Shaun Wright-Phillips did in a central midfield role.
3) How highly (or low) do you rate Sidwell?
It's hard to say, we've not seen enough of him, I'd say fair to middle as a guide!
4) Would you be sorry to see him go?
Not really, our midfield is overflowing with world class performers!
5) Do you think he'd be a decent addition for Villa, seems a bit on the pricey side to me I must admit?!
£7 million, yes please considering he cost us nowt! However, he's the sort of player Martin O'Neill can work with and get the best out, I think he was a little overawed at Chelsea!
With thanks to Merlin at www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk
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Your Comments
THANK YOU for buying him:)
chelsey
THANK YOU for buying him:)
chelsey
Can Gardner get away with saying what a great signing he is considering we haven't actually signed him yet.
Pking
Can Gardner get away with saying what a great signing he is considering we haven't actually signed him yet.
Pking
he will be good once MON has worked his magic we all know that :)
industrial_musical
That photo reminds me of Beaker from the Muppets.
Villan444
he will be good once MON has worked his magic we all know that :)
industrial_musical
That photo reminds me of Beaker from the Muppets.
Villan444
Chelsea's comments appear to be slightly condescending! Besides, I don't think they are the ones we ought to be asking for opinion on Sidwell, I believe the Reading fans would be better positioned to give a more accurate assessment on his footballing capabilities.
Nigel-not-Reo
Chelsea's comments appear to be slightly condescending! Besides, I don't think they are the ones we ought to be asking for opinion on Sidwell, I believe the Reading fans would be better positioned to give a more accurate assessment on his footballing capabilities.
Nigel-not-Reo
As our merlin says, he was not for Chelsea with the midfield set-up we have. He also had no expecially strong side that made it possible for him to break into the team using that skill. He did not play much and it is hard to evaluate how he will work out for you lot. But I think MON is the right manager for him and I think he will turn out to be a valuable member of your team if the transfer goes through. The price tag suggests that both Chelsea and Villa thinks the same. Good luck to him if it happens, he was José's pick and when JM left he lost his footing here.
Lindy
As our merlin says, he was not for Chelsea with the midfield set-up we have. He also had no expecially strong side that made it possible for him to break into the team using that skill. He did not play much and it is hard to evaluate how he will work out for you lot. But I think MON is the right manager for him and I think he will turn out to be a valuable member of your team if the transfer goes through. The price tag suggests that both Chelsea and Villa thinks the same. Good luck to him if it happens, he was José's pick and when JM left he lost his footing here.
Lindy
In my opionion it would indeed be wrong for Gardner to say what a great signing Sid is, but we all know how it works: a journalist crawls out from under a rock after training and says "Craig - we hear MON has signed Sidwell - what do you think of that?" So Garder replies to said journo in the same vein. The lesson (for everyone) is only to believe you have signed a player after he has been officially presented. Oh, and never, ever, believe anything you read in the rags. They're full of b*******
BobTheBuilder
In my opionion it would indeed be wrong for Gardner to say what a great signing Sid is, but we all know how it works: a journalist crawls out from under a rock after training and says "Craig - we hear MON has signed Sidwell - what do you think of that?" So Garder replies to said journo in the same vein. The lesson (for everyone) is only to believe you have signed a player after he has been officially presented. Oh, and never, ever, believe anything you read in the rags. They're full of b*******
BobTheBuilder
1) Not surprised at all. He was bought to suplement squad with the view of a potential development into a first team player.
2) Chances are limited at Chelsea given our strong midfield. It isn't an east task for anyone to command a slot against Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Obi Mikel and Makelele. For a normal player a task impossible.
3) Sidwell is a premiership class player though not a CL player. Not a bad player but we have better players and it is fair to have such a player plaing regularily.
4) Not sorry as there isn't a place for him bt in a way happy that he will get a chance. I hope he does well at Villa.
1970Blue
1) Not surprised at all. He was bought to suplement squad with the view of a potential development into a first team player.
2) Chances are limited at Chelsea given our strong midfield. It isn't an east task for anyone to command a slot against Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Obi Mikel and Makelele. For a normal player a task impossible.
3) Sidwell is a premiership class player though not a CL player. Not a bad player but we have better players and it is fair to have such a player plaing regularily.
4) Not sorry as there isn't a place for him bt in a way happy that he will get a chance. I hope he does well at Villa.
1970Blue
I thought NRC would be a good signing this time last season but he has turned out to be no better than Gavin McCann. Sorry that's an insult to Gav actually!
I do think Sidwell can at least trap a ball which is a start! So yes he'll be a decent addition to our "small" squad
Villan57
I thought NRC would be a good signing this time last season but he has turned out to be no better than Gavin McCann. Sorry that's an insult to Gav actually!
I do think Sidwell can at least trap a ball which is a start! So yes he'll be a decent addition to our "small" squad
Villan57
Im sick of people giving out about NRC he has been a good signing and will get better he has been forced to play a different position for Barry but has shown in a few matches the massive potential he has in unnatural positions against Chelsea in September he was fantastic and against Derby away at RM he completley ran the show.Why are we always looking for something to complain about.Knight is **** though.
Pking
Im sick of people giving out about NRC he has been a good signing and will get better he has been forced to play a different position for Barry but has shown in a few matches the massive potential he has in unnatural positions against Chelsea in September he was fantastic and against Derby away at RM he completley ran the show.Why are we always looking for something to complain about.Knight is **** though.
Pking
Yes, he (Sidwell) would be a very good signing, if we manage to pull it off. Cant believe though that the deal is as cut and dried as the media would have us believe.
glensider
Yes, he (Sidwell) would be a very good signing, if we manage to pull it off. Cant believe though that the deal is as cut and dried as the media would have us believe.
glensider
Dont you think that Knight has done a decent job for us though Pking? Much maligned, but personally I think he's performed better than many seem willing to give him credit for. Just an opinion.
glensider
Dont you think that Knight has done a decent job for us though Pking? Much maligned, but personally I think he's performed better than many seem willing to give him credit for. Just an opinion.
glensider
He was a very good player at Reading. As usual he was a british player brought in at Chelsea to help keep the bench warm like so many in recent seasons. Give him a good run in any side and he would soon be back to his old Reading form.
dazza71
He was a very good player at Reading. As usual he was a british player brought in at Chelsea to help keep the bench warm like so many in recent seasons. Give him a good run in any side and he would soon be back to his old Reading form.
dazza71
Agreed dazza71
Nigel-not-Reo
Agreed dazza71
Nigel-not-Reo
Why is everybody always slagging off Knight? Davies and Laursen are better players I agree and Knight is 3rd choice centre back. However, he is one of us and will always give his all for the club because he is claret and blue through and through. I would rather have a team of hard workers who will jump through walls for the club like him than some talented player who gets tapped up by his boyfriend at liverpool...
I can't wait for Sidwell, MON will get the best out of him and he will score some valuable goals.
industrial_musical
Why is everybody always slagging off Knight? Davies and Laursen are better players I agree and Knight is 3rd choice centre back. However, he is one of us and will always give his all for the club because he is claret and blue through and through. I would rather have a team of hard workers who will jump through walls for the club like him than some talented player who gets tapped up by his boyfriend at liverpool...
I can't wait for Sidwell, MON will get the best out of him and he will score some valuable goals.
industrial_musical
Knight wouldn't get anywhere near our squad if he wasn't a Villa fan. Like David James of old, you know that he is going to have at the very least one scary moment per game.
Villan444
Knight wouldn't get anywhere near our squad if he wasn't a Villa fan. Like David James of old, you know that he is going to have at the very least one scary moment per game.
Villan444
I think our defence needs looking at regardless of who plays there. We concede far too many goals. If we could stemmed the flow of goals we would have finished in 4th or even 3rd place.
gappy65
I think our defence needs looking at regardless of who plays there. We concede far too many goals. If we could stemmed the flow of goals we would have finished in 4th or even 3rd place.
gappy65
I agree with you about Knight Glensider. I think he's been decent. We all know he's not the greatest but he's a decent squad player with lots of prem experience and we payed 3m for him. We sold Cahill for 6m and Ridgewell for 2m and in my opinion Knight is better than both these two. Cahill conceded 4 at Villa Park and Ridgewell conceded 5 and also scored an own goal.
randy.stand
I agree with you about Knight Glensider. I think he's been decent. We all know he's not the greatest but he's a decent squad player with lots of prem experience and we payed 3m for him. We sold Cahill for 6m and Ridgewell for 2m and in my opinion Knight is better than both these two. Cahill conceded 4 at Villa Park and Ridgewell conceded 5 and also scored an own goal.
randy.stand
gappy this thread is about Sidwell coming to the Villa, we need players full stop.
col8
gappy this thread is about Sidwell coming to the Villa, we need players full stop.
col8
Col8; so why is everyone talking about Knight? I am merely adding to the post regarding Knight!
gappy65
Col8; so why is everyone talking about Knight? I am merely adding to the post regarding Knight!
gappy65
Knight's hated by some, valued by others. end of knight discussion... Sidwell great signing!!
industrial_musical
Knight's hated by some, valued by others. end of knight discussion... Sidwell great signing!!
industrial_musical
Having seen Sidwell in the pre season friendly at Lincoln he looks over rated and very expensive to me.
Dean1
Having seen Sidwell in the pre season friendly at Lincoln he looks over rated and very expensive to me.
Dean1
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