[Archived] Blackburn Sign Chilean Superstar Carlos Villanueva

[neekoy]

The only thing that annoys me is that he is going to leave us and go to some Italian or Spanish club and be class.

[thenodrog]

People keep citing his lack of pace as a reason for not giving him a fair chance in the PL games. How much pace has Tugay got (or indeed ever had)?

There have over the years been many examples of players that were very successful over a long career that had loads of technical ability but a complete abscence of pace; many of these were also long standing internationals. Also people seem to forget that Rovers themselves had a player that was and is still considered a legend, but who at the same time was regularly criticised by a minority of our supporters for being "lazy". I am of course referring to Eddie Quigley who was always overweight and could not raise a gallop but his skill in reading the game and his accuracy in passing a ball over any distance was unsurpassed any where (40 yds? ..no problem, he did it every match). He also was a prolific scorerer with a left foot like a cannon, and pin-point accuracy with free kicks etc. Not for nothing was he once British football's record transfer fee, but he never could and never did show any signs of pace.

Tugay has never been asked to play on the wing Fife.

As for Quigley I doubt he'd play higher than the Championship these days. Barrell chested players with legs like tree trunks were super on the old mudheaps when strength mattered but are next door to useless on todays pitches.

[spencey7]

So Carlos isn't lightning - That doesn't make him ineffective.

In fact Carlos has looked one of our most effective players (and definitely our most creative) every time he's been in the first XI.

I also think he'll end up becoming a big player at a big team, and we'll be left banging our heads off tables for not having used him to help keep us up.

[tonyoz]

No doubt we will get another opportunity to assess his progress against Coventry. We desperately need someone to create some decent chances. He did it against Sunderland in a way that no one else has all season. I think it is worth persevering, if for no other reason than we have an abundance of mediocre midfield players who would not be missed.

That sweet left foot should be able to find the heads of Samba and Roque more effectively than Pedersen manages at the moment. Also there is the confidence thing - maybe he needs a run of games............

Anyway, I wish him luck against Coventry - he needs a big game.

[47er]

People keep citing his lack of pace as a reason for not giving him a fair chance in the PL games. How much pace has Tugay got (or indeed ever had)?

There have over the years been many examples of players that were very successful over a long career that had loads of technical ability but a complete abscence of pace; many of these were also long standing internationals. Also people seem to forget that Rovers themselves had a player that was and is still considered a legend, but who at the same time was regularly criticised by a minority of our supporters for being "lazy". I am of course referring to Eddie Quigley who was always overweight and could not raise a gallop but his skill in reading the game and his accuracy in passing a ball over any distance was unsurpassed any where (40 yds? ..no problem, he did it every match). He also was a prolific scorerer with a left foot like a cannon, and pin-point accuracy with free kicks etc. Not for nothing was he once British football's record transfer fee, but he never could and never did show any signs of pace.

Different era Fife. If Eddie Quigley wanted to survive in the Premiership today he'd have to get himself fit!

[Exiled in Toronto]

If we're going to play RSC then I would also pick Carlos; even though he can't run, he's the only one who can put a decent cross or dead ball onto the man's head

[chileandude]

More than one!

[rover6]

I can only see one post Fife, where someone is saying his only disadvantage is a lack of pace.

When and if, he eventually has a real influence on a Premier league game, then there will be a case for his regular inclusion. In the games he has played, he's fallen short. Not all to do with pace.

Am I to infer from that, Den, that you have retracted from your position that Villaneuva has already proven, on the balance of probabilities, to be inadequate.

[den]

Am I to infer from that, Den, that you have retracted from your position that Villaneuva has already proven, on the balance of probabilities, to be inadequate.

I posted before we signed him, that judging purely on his youtube clip, he looked like a player who wouldn't fit into a 4-4-2 system. After his first game against Grimsby, even though he played well, I warned that he was slow and a bit lightweight.

So, if you're asking me if I think that he will make it as a regular player in the Prem, I still say no. The guy certainly has qualities, but I can't see how he can start regularly in this league. Some will say that if we could get him for a snip, then it's worth a go with him. That might happen, but I doubt it.

[rover6]

Villaneuva joined Birmingham on loan, how can this be?!!

If he ever comes back, I hope Allardyce gives him a central berth. Playing him on the wing is like dangling him over the precipice.

*I've just remembered how annoying these sort of heart-attack posts are (Chileandude is still around), so I'll add - jus' kiddin'.

[Tom]

Am i reading something wrong here?

Edit - thanks for clearing that up rover6 I was trying to search the net for more info then

[Amo]

I think R6 was trying a funny.

But I do agree with him. Carlos needs to be in the middle.

[JAL]

Yes, Villaneuva has considerable physical shortcomings which makes his insistence on running with the ball so often something of a flaw in his game. However, a comparison of worth may be made with Robert Pires. There was a slow guy (who runs as if he has the runs) who did a fine job as a left midfielder in the Premier League. He made it because he had fantastic vision - and didn't try to run with the ball too often.

Rubbish rover6, Pires had more pace than you give him credit for.

The two players Villaneuva and Pirez are incomparible, complete opposites.

[den]

I think R6 was trying a funny.

But I do agree with him. Carlos needs to be in the middle.

Carlos needs to be moved on. Sorry, but he would struggle to get a regular spot in any Prem side.

[Amo]

Based on his run in the side?

The guy has talent, which is something we should nurture given the state of our deflated midfield.

[JAL]

Based on his run in the side?

The guy has talent, which is something we should nurture given the state of our deflated midfield.

Yes, but he cant dont use that word again RUN.

[rover6]

Bergkamp had no pace, and wasn't a great physical presence.

That's not to say Villaneuva is in that league (at the moment, anyway) but it shows that he could be effective despite his lack of mobility.

However, a support forward needs good movement from his team-mates to be effective. SO maybe Carlos isn't suited to our cruddy team, anyway.

[Parsonblue]

Bergkamp had no pace, and wasn't a great physical presence.

That's not to say Villaneuva is in that league (at the moment, anyway) but it shows that he could be effective despite his lack of mobility.

However, a support forward needs good movement from his team-mates to be effective. SO maybe Carlos isn't suited to our cruddy team, anyway.

I don't think Carlos is suited to English football full-stop. Even when he has played for the Reserves he has been unable to withstand the challenge of youngsters from the opposition. I thought he did very little yesterday to suggest that he could ever be a major influence on our team. Unless his club drop his price by £4 million I don't see him being at Ewood after May.

[47er]

I don't think Carlos is suited to English football full-stop. Even when he has played for the Reserves he has been unable to withstand the challenge of youngsters from the opposition. I thought he did very little yesterday to suggest that he could ever be a major influence on our team. Unless his club drop his price by £4 million I don't see him being at Ewood after May.

Despite doing a lot of good things in his first game against Grimsby, his shortcomings were obvious. I don't think he has improved in any way since then. Caught in possession too often, too easily brushed off the ball, takes the wrong option too often. But every now and then does something wonderful with that left foot that has you thinking again.

[DeadlyDirk]

Bergkamp had no pace, and wasn't a great physical presence.

That's not to say Villaneuva is in that league (at the moment, anyway) but it shows that he could be effective despite his lack of mobility.

However, a support forward needs good movement from his team-mates to be effective. SO maybe Carlos isn't suited to our cruddy team, anyway.

I'm a fan of Carlos and really want him to do well but come on we must be thinking of different Dennis Bergkamps? He had tremendous upper body strength and a decent turn of pace unless your only remembering the latter stages of his career. Not to mention that Bergkamp was outstandingly brilliant and not far off, if at all the talent of people like Cruyff, Maradona and Pele.

It would be like saying Villanueva doesn't have much of a right foot but then neither did Maradona.

On the subject of Bergkamp, although unreleated to Blackburn but you really have to admire him, in these current times of money ruining football and the current struggles of our own Rovers,

might remind you of just why you fell in love with football in the first place.

He really was one of the greatest players ever to play in the premiership, like I said I want Carlos to do well and wish he would play more but if he had a quarter of the talent of Bergkamp then he would be the best player in our team and starting every game.

[chileandude]

I think Villanueva's price will not go below £3 million. He might not be worth that in English football, but in La Liga or Il Calcio (where most S.Americans go) I think he is.

The only thing Carlos has to do know is put in as many good performances as he can and then go to a league (AND TEAM) that suits his game better. French league would be a nice place to start IMO.

[Amo]

Carlos scored two for the reserves in a 2-1 victory over Man.City.

I hope he is able to play a role in the upcoming months. We could really do with some quality in the final third. Found myself saying this all season, but it's true damnit!

[den]

Carlos scored two for the reserves in a 2-1 victory over Man.City.

I hope he is able to play a role in the upcoming months. We could really do with some quality in the final third. Found myself saying this all season, but it's true damnit!

I seriously doubt it. The few remaining games will be fought with the strongest players, physically and mentally. Every game will be a battle,- we need the tough guys.

[Amo]

Hey, he's still doing the business despite hardly featuring all season. That must say something for his attitude.

Perhaps not a regular starter, but he must be used as a more effective substitute - heck, just using him full-stop! You always need a Plan B.

[rover6]

I seriously doubt it. The few remaining games will be fought with the strongest players, physically and mentally. Every game will be a battle,- we need the tough guys.

Stead was not physically or mentally strong but helped us stay up...

Villaneuva's set piece ability should make him at least a useful sub, if Allardyce was to open his mind.