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Is Nigel Reo-Cokers Villa Career Over?

Sometimes the press put 2+2 together and come up with whatever answer they want, however this one surely has some substance to it, if not in the price and target club, in the fact that Nigel Hokey-Cokey appears to have a very long road back if he wants to play regularly for Villa again after the 'incident' with Villa boss Martin O'Neill?

He was sent home as we all know and told to come back on Monday when things would be assessed. Well, and we could be reading too much into it I guess, he got back into training but didn't make the Carling Cup team v Cardiff and although he got back on the bench in our defeat to Blackburn Rovers, he didn't get a look in on the pitch.

As Thomas Sorensen found out before him, you simply don't cross a manager like MON, he is old school and is right when he says HE is the boss, his word goes, there is surely no other way to run a team?

Today The Mirror are suggested that Roy Hodgson has targeted a £3million move for the 25-year-old former West Ham midfielder to take him to Fulham in the January transfer window.

£3m? Would we really accept such a low fee for someone we paid over £8million for? If he was going so cheap, I would imagine that Appy Arry would also return as he was rumoured (only a press rumour mind you) to have been interested through the summer, only for Villa to ask for £7million which Spurs didn't want to pay. So will MON be tempted in January to cut and run for whatever they can raise for the player?

Our latest poll asks if NRC's Villa career is effectively over.

MON has been asked several times - most amusingly by Pat Murphy - but won't be drawn on the incident or comment apart from saying 'there is nothing to say'. Well, there sort of is but hey, only because we are all hungry for every ounce of information we can get on any subject matter Villa related!

We currently have 21 pages on the subject in the forum ! Click Here for page 21


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Writer: J P Fear Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Tuesday September 29 2009

Time: 10:45AM

Your Comments

I love the Nige, that's a very bad MON. I hope they can sort this one out properly becuase taking a cut price on a midfielder we need isn't what we want to be doing. punish him and move on, he did that for Barry so if he wont for Nige it's proving player power works on him, when your top quality obviously.
PTP
I love the Nige, that's a very bad MON. I hope they can sort this one out properly becuase taking a cut price on a midfielder we need isn't what we want to be doing. punish him and move on, he did that for Barry so if he wont for Nige it's proving player power works on him, when your top quality obviously.
PTP
Amazing how people slag off petrov after he showed such class in turning his villa career around,Yet some gobby dickhead who can`t pass a ball gets a free pass from the fans,He should get booed.But i don`t expect any sense from idiots.
lerneravfc
Amazing how people slag off petrov after he showed such class in turning his villa career around,Yet some gobby dickhead who can`t pass a ball gets a free pass from the fans,He should get booed.But i don`t expect any sense from idiots.
lerneravfc
i cant see him being back in the team now shame as he is a hard worker but if we sell we will have better lined up so to be honest im not that bothered about it
clarkamus
i cant see him being back in the team now shame as he is a hard worker but if we sell we will have better lined up so to be honest im not that bothered about it
clarkamus
I think NRC gives our midfield massive energy, and he is very good at breaking up play. A nightmare to play against. IMO he SHOULD have started at Blackburn with Petrov and Delph in midfield with JC on the bench. We must utilise him until January, then IF there is no reconciliation he needs to be replaced by someone better. That will cost £8-£10m, so we either part exchange or hold out for at least the £8m we paid.
krfeskivilla
I think NRC gives our midfield massive energy, and he is very good at breaking up play. A nightmare to play against. IMO he SHOULD have started at Blackburn with Petrov and Delph in midfield with JC on the bench. We must utilise him until January, then IF there is no reconciliation he needs to be replaced by someone better. That will cost £8-£10m, so we either part exchange or hold out for at least the £8m we paid.
krfeskivilla
lerneravfc, congratualtions on giving me a good laugh every time you comment. I think the price is far from unreasonable. If Reo Coker hardly plays between now and January, and therefore is inevitably offloaded in the window, there is no way we will get anywhere near what we paid for him. The bust up is public knowledge. The fact that he was our reserve right back last season is also on record. That we want rid of him would be obvious. In such circumstances, an interested manager could name their price. This is why Reo Coker must play games between now and January, in order to protect what value he has left.
Albarnista
lerneravfc, congratualtions on giving me a good laugh every time you comment. I think the price is far from unreasonable. If Reo Coker hardly plays between now and January, and therefore is inevitably offloaded in the window, there is no way we will get anywhere near what we paid for him. The bust up is public knowledge. The fact that he was our reserve right back last season is also on record. That we want rid of him would be obvious. In such circumstances, an interested manager could name their price. This is why Reo Coker must play games between now and January, in order to protect what value he has left.
Albarnista
Villa looks a more secure team with NRC in the Middle. Look at the losses this year..Wigan and Blackburn and both times he wasn't used. He was instrumental in the Liverpool game and has been significant in our wins this season. Losing him without a replacement would leave us vulnerable.
Brendanormsby
Villa looks a more secure team with NRC in the Middle. Look at the losses this year..Wigan and Blackburn and both times he wasn't used. He was instrumental in the Liverpool game and has been significant in our wins this season. Losing him without a replacement would leave us vulnerable.
Brendanormsby
agreed Brendan, can't see why some are so set against NRC to be honest.

lerneravfc, what I find amazing is if people don't agree with your opinions, they are always idiots. You really have no respect for .... sod it, I'll no doubt be wasting my breath.
The Fear
agreed Brendan, can't see why some are so set against NRC to be honest.

lerneravfc, what I find amazing is if people don't agree with your opinions, they are always idiots. You really have no respect for .... sod it, I'll no doubt be wasting my breath.
The Fear
Kinda think lerneravfc has point, you are all idiots. Only joking, only some of us. Nige has got to go and I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what he wants. Good player but a right miserable sod.
General disarray
Kinda think lerneravfc has point, you are all idiots. Only joking, only some of us. Nige has got to go and I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what he wants. Good player but a right miserable sod.
General disarray
This is the first, and probably last, time I have agreed with Albarnista. If we were a strong team all round, then maybe MON's obvious obstinacy could be forgiven. But we haven't and whilst NRC isn't the best passer of a ball in the team, he does bring other strengths. I think MON actually demeans his own reputation when he has these spats. One man should not be bigger than the club even if he is the manager. He ought to find his dummy and stick it back in.
Gordonsleftboot
This is the first, and probably last, time I have agreed with Albarnista. If we were a strong team all round, then maybe MON's obvious obstinacy could be forgiven. But we haven't and whilst NRC isn't the best passer of a ball in the team, he does bring other strengths. I think MON actually demeans his own reputation when he has these spats. One man should not be bigger than the club even if he is the manager. He ought to find his dummy and stick it back in.
Gordonsleftboot
Still think we miss Barry, more than we realise he is true class, maybe if he was still here we wouldnt need to play 451 so often. Could Downing be a suitable replacement, i know he is a left winger but remember Southgagte was a midfielder before Little turned him into a very good centre half.
astonsteve
Still think we miss Barry, more than we realise he is true class, maybe if he was still here we wouldnt need to play 451 so often. Could Downing be a suitable replacement, i know he is a left winger but remember Southgagte was a midfielder before Little turned him into a very good centre half.
astonsteve
Sorry a little off topic above, think Reo Coker should stay, think he plays better when we play 451, same goes 4 Sidwell and Petrov. Not sure if mon will 4give or forget though.
astonsteve
Sorry a little off topic above, think Reo Coker should stay, think he plays better when we play 451, same goes 4 Sidwell and Petrov. Not sure if mon will 4give or forget though.
astonsteve
If Mon thinks that Nige's actions are a detriment to the squad as a whole then Nige has to go. Look at the arsenal to see what an adverse affect a couple of bad apples can have (by apples I mean toure and adebeyor).
General disarray
If Mon thinks that Nige's actions are a detriment to the squad as a whole then Nige has to go. Look at the arsenal to see what an adverse affect a couple of bad apples can have (by apples I mean toure and adebeyor).
General disarray
All depends how MON and NRC act now, they should be able to get over a little spat and I do agree with some of the posts, I actually quite like him and think he does add something when in the right position but IF (and we don't know) he upsets the dressing room in any way, then naturally he'll be gone. Still looks a storm in a tea cup really... not really sure what a storm in a tea cup would actually look like mind you, having never experienced one. I did get angry enough once that I could have crushed a grape, maybe that is similar?!
The Fear
All depends how MON and NRC act now, they should be able to get over a little spat and I do agree with some of the posts, I actually quite like him and think he does add something when in the right position but IF (and we don't know) he upsets the dressing room in any way, then naturally he'll be gone. Still looks a storm in a tea cup really... not really sure what a storm in a tea cup would actually look like mind you, having never experienced one. I did get angry enough once that I could have crushed a grape, maybe that is similar?!
The Fear
Things certainly dont look too bright for Reo-Coker right now, as far as a return to the starting X1 that is, but from what we read and hear via the media, he has been hankering after a move away from Villa Park for some time. He no doubt has his reasons for his spat with MON, and consistently being played out of position is no doubt one of the reasons behind his beef, as is his being hauled off fairly regularly when MON see's a need to alter the shape of the team. I'm not a big NRC fan, I think he's been something of a disappointment since his arrival from West Ham United, but apart from that, no player worth his salt confronts his manager in such a manner, no matter how much you feel your grievances are justified. It cant be allowed to happen, or if it does happen, the need for an immediate and strong response from the manager is very necessary. MON did what 99.9% of managers would have done, and unfortunately for NRC, or any player in this type of situation, there is only ever going to be one winner. On the other side of the coin, while NRC is hardly the best midfielder in the world, lacks technical skills, is short on pace, gets caught in possession and his distribution is all too often wayward, there is a steeliness about the guy, a determination with a never say die attitude that gives us an 'edge'. At Anfield, when Nigel was arguably one of our top performers, he tackled everything as though his very life depended on it, and it was that sort of approach and mentality that was missing from any of our players in the Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers reversals. Without Nigel in the line-up, many would say that we are way too soft a touch, and I would I believe have to agree with that very asessment.
glensider
Things certainly dont look too bright for Reo-Coker right now, as far as a return to the starting X1 that is, but from what we read and hear via the media, he has been hankering after a move away from Villa Park for some time. He no doubt has his reasons for his spat with MON, and consistently being played out of position is no doubt one of the reasons behind his beef, as is his being hauled off fairly regularly when MON see's a need to alter the shape of the team. I'm not a big NRC fan, I think he's been something of a disappointment since his arrival from West Ham United, but apart from that, no player worth his salt confronts his manager in such a manner, no matter how much you feel your grievances are justified. It cant be allowed to happen, or if it does happen, the need for an immediate and strong response from the manager is very necessary. MON did what 99.9% of managers would have done, and unfortunately for NRC, or any player in this type of situation, there is only ever going to be one winner. On the other side of the coin, while NRC is hardly the best midfielder in the world, lacks technical skills, is short on pace, gets caught in possession and his distribution is all too often wayward, there is a steeliness about the guy, a determination with a never say die attitude that gives us an 'edge'. At Anfield, when Nigel was arguably one of our top performers, he tackled everything as though his very life depended on it, and it was that sort of approach and mentality that was missing from any of our players in the Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers reversals. Without Nigel in the line-up, many would say that we are way too soft a touch, and I would I believe have to agree with that very asessment.
glensider
FFS how may times do i have to hear the words he breaks up play, shows 100%, wears his heart on his sleeve etc. Surely we should have someone who does that anyway along with the ability to actually pass a football and without being an absolute**** in training, we are a top premiership side afterall!? Why bother buying players who dont tick all the boxes????.....MON you *****ed up with reo and couldnt tame the bentley boy attitude, sell him for 4m and put it towards someoe better.
son_of_cher
FFS how may times do i have to hear the words he breaks up play, shows 100%, wears his heart on his sleeve etc. Surely we should have someone who does that anyway along with the ability to actually pass a football and without being an absolute**** in training, we are a top premiership side afterall!? Why bother buying players who dont tick all the boxes????.....MON you *****ed up with reo and couldnt tame the bentley boy attitude, sell him for 4m and put it towards someoe better.
son_of_cher
We look more solid when reo players because we only playhim in a 451 which is our preferred more 'solid' formaiton at present. Id happlily the Garder take reos place if he promised not cross our half way line or to try anything fancy and just crunched people all game.
son_of_cher
We look more solid when reo players because we only playhim in a 451 which is our preferred more 'solid' formaiton at present. Id happlily the Garder take reos place if he promised not cross our half way line or to try anything fancy and just crunched people all game.
son_of_cher
Maybe the 4-5-1 is needed because Petrov is not as good as we make him out to be. He's a good protection for the back 4 but we also have Ash and Milner tracking back when we lose the ball!!! He used to be a play maker/attacker but now he keeps moving back. This is because he needs more time on the ball and doesn't get it if he is pressed or has to move quickly and he's not the biggest either. Delph can't be expected to slip smoothly into any premiership team, especially seeing he doesn't know any of his teammates. Nige is an athlete, nothing more and nothing less. He is lucky to have gotten away with fooling anyone into thinking otherwise.He needs someone to pass and shoot for him. As for Sidwell, he just isn't TOP class, he does a fairly good job of all a midfielders duties but nothing exceptional. It all means that we have 4 centre midfielders, all of whom require 2 others to partner them to make up for their deficiencies!!! Nige IS by far the worst of the bunch though.
Villan444
Maybe the 4-5-1 is needed because Petrov is not as good as we make him out to be. He's a good protection for the back 4 but we also have Ash and Milner tracking back when we lose the ball!!! He used to be a play maker/attacker but now he keeps moving back. This is because he needs more time on the ball and doesn't get it if he is pressed or has to move quickly and he's not the biggest either. Delph can't be expected to slip smoothly into any premiership team, especially seeing he doesn't know any of his teammates. Nige is an athlete, nothing more and nothing less. He is lucky to have gotten away with fooling anyone into thinking otherwise.He needs someone to pass and shoot for him. As for Sidwell, he just isn't TOP class, he does a fairly good job of all a midfielders duties but nothing exceptional. It all means that we have 4 centre midfielders, all of whom require 2 others to partner them to make up for their deficiencies!!! Nige IS by far the worst of the bunch though.
Villan444
Until MON decides to shop abroad i dont think we will find that player who can run the midfeild on their own....The best and only English ones are taken simple as. I have no problem with us gambling on trying to find the next Gerrard/Lampard with Delph but in the meantime we need a proper experienced general to control games....MON's rader just doesnt contain this type of player which can really annoy at times.
son_of_cher
Until MON decides to shop abroad i dont think we will find that player who can run the midfeild on their own....The best and only English ones are taken simple as. I have no problem with us gambling on trying to find the next Gerrard/Lampard with Delph but in the meantime we need a proper experienced general to control games....MON's rader just doesnt contain this type of player which can really annoy at times.
son_of_cher
Or chuck Milner in there when Downing's fit. I think he'd be great in there and is definately worth an experiment in a few games. The guy's a battler and will run all day long afterall which is just what we need. His shooting is better than his crosses so surely he'd be bettter in that position? Same situtation with Barry, who'd have ever thought Gareth used to be a left winger nowadays?
son_of_cher
Or chuck Milner in there when Downing's fit. I think he'd be great in there and is definately worth an experiment in a few games. The guy's a battler and will run all day long afterall which is just what we need. His shooting is better than his crosses so surely he'd be bettter in that position? Same situtation with Barry, who'd have ever thought Gareth used to be a left winger nowadays?
son_of_cher
It it just coincidence that the two games we have lost were ones where NRC didn't play? Or am I reading too much into those two defeats?
chocolate teapot
It it just coincidence that the two games we have lost were ones where NRC didn't play? Or am I reading too much into those two defeats?
chocolate teapot
Well i can see both sides in this... I understand NRC's frustration at being used out of position & subbed off a lot i mean it has gone on ever since he came to the club especially with that ridiculous RB debacle last season,............... However he was clearly bang out of order in the way he "exploded". .. I feel it is a shame as teams were finding us unplayable with that 5 man midfield i mean 3-1 at Anfield said it all. ... Unfortunately we DO NOT HAVE another tiger in midfield to replace him with at the moment so we are weaker without him in as has been shown in the results... So for me ... Does he have to go? .. well reluctantly Yes Will it affect us? ... It already has. For how long?.... January cannot come quick enough. Replacement?.... Well not long till Downing is fit now but hardly a tiger.. So with Gardiner, Osbourne & co not really fulfilling their early potential I can only see Fabian Delph.. But he needs another half a season yet for me..
danceoftheshamen
Well i can see both sides in this... I understand NRC's frustration at being used out of position & subbed off a lot i mean it has gone on ever since he came to the club especially with that ridiculous RB debacle last season,............... However he was clearly bang out of order in the way he "exploded". .. I feel it is a shame as teams were finding us unplayable with that 5 man midfield i mean 3-1 at Anfield said it all. ... Unfortunately we DO NOT HAVE another tiger in midfield to replace him with at the moment so we are weaker without him in as has been shown in the results... So for me ... Does he have to go? .. well reluctantly Yes Will it affect us? ... It already has. For how long?.... January cannot come quick enough. Replacement?.... Well not long till Downing is fit now but hardly a tiger.. So with Gardiner, Osbourne & co not really fulfilling their early potential I can only see Fabian Delph.. But he needs another half a season yet for me..
danceoftheshamen
 

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