Aman Verma [Signed - 11 Dec]

[lavrentis]

Khalsa is run by a group of Sikh lads I know, I used to play for em a very long time ago, there not very good to be fair, but the boy Aman has played at higher levels and from what I hear he loves football and plays every chance he gets, he will relish his chance at city, let's hope he does well!!!

Ah cool cheers

[Thracian]

Kaebi should have been given more of a chance than two games, he was a good player!!!

:D You should have gone to Specsavers!

[Koke]

Kaebi only played 1 game and a half.

He needed far more time to establish himself to English football culture.

People's expectations of him were way too high.

[Thracian]

Kaebi only played 1 game and a half.

He needed far more time to establish himself to English football culture.

People's expectations of him were way too high.

Kaebi didn't play well even in the reserves. He was way out of his depth.

[Koke]

Kaebi didn't play well even in the reserves. He was way out of his depth.

He was 21. New to the country and it's cold horrible weather.

I watched him in the reserves (against Walsall I think) and he was played left back. So new to the country, learning the footballing culture and on top of that being played out of position.

I don't know whether he would have come good or not - But one thing I do know is he wasn't given a fair chance here. He needed far more time to adapt to our football.

[Thracian]

He was 21. New to the country and it's cold horrible weather.

I watched him in the reserves (against Walsall I think) and he was played left back. So new to the country, learning the footballing culture and on top of that being played out of position.

I don't know whether he would have come good or not - But one thing I do know is he wasn't given a fair chance here. He needed far more time to adapt to our football.

He was given lots of chances and I watched him lots of times. Not once whether in his specialist position or in an alternative position did he stand out. Quite the contrary. He was a liability at times.

I'm a believer in players being given time to settle but people like you, who were obsessed with having an Asian in the first team, wouldn't hear of it despite my mentioning so many times that he wasn't ready.

They campaigned long and hard for his inclusion despite some embarrassing performances and they, as much as anyone, did his cause no good at all.

Unlike you, I am not obsessed with an Asian playing for City. Or an Oriental, or an Eskimo, or a South Sea Islander. The only people I want to see in the team are people who are good enough on merit not people drafted in for political expediecy.

[Koke]

He was given lots of chances and I watched him lots of times. Not once whether in his specialist position or in an alternative position did he stand out. Quite

the contrary. He was a liability at times.

I'm a believer in players being given time to settle but people like you, who were obsessed with having an Asian in the first team, wouldn't hear of it despite my mentioning so many times that he wasn't ready.

They campaigned long and hard for his inclusion despite some embarrassing performances and they, as much as anyone, did his cause no good at all.

Unlike you, I am not obsessed with an Asian playing for City. Or an Oriental, or an Eskimo, or a South Sea Islander. The only people I want to see in the team are people who are good enough on merit not people drafted in for political expediecy.

Why would I be obsessed to have an Asian in my team? - I'm not even Asian myself. Or Iranian.

Yes, I wanted Kaebi to succeed, simply because he was our player.

I don't like the way you are indicating that I am politically motivated when it comes to footballing matters.

[potter3]

He was given lots of chances and I watched him lots of times. Not once whether in his specialist position or in an alternative position did he stand out. Quite

the contrary. He was a liability at times.

I'm a believer in players being given time to settle but people like you, who were obsessed with having an Asian in the first team, wouldn't hear of it despite my mentioning so many times that he wasn't ready.

They campaigned long and hard for his inclusion despite some embarrassing performances and they, as much as anyone, did his cause no good at all.

Unlike you, I am not obsessed with an Asian playing for City. Or an Oriental, or an Eskimo, or a South Sea Islander. The only people I want to see in the team are people who are good enough on merit not people drafted in for political expediecy.

...

Arsene Wenger, who is like, the expert on these things (sorry Phube ) says a foreign player, especially younger ones, needs 6months or even a year to adapt

[Thracian]

Why would I be obsessed to have an Asian in my team? - I'm not even Asian myself. Or Iranian.

Yes, I wanted Kaebi to succeed, simply because he was our player.

I don't like the way you are indicating that I am politically motivated when it comes to footballing matters.

Go back and read the threads campaigning on Kaebi's behalf. You will see exactly what I am getting at even if you don't want to acknowledge it.

A whole lot of posters appeared who had never been on site before, all of them extolling the virtues of Kaebi.

Pity the reality was nothing like the build-up.

If you say you're only interested in Verma as a footballer then I have no reason not to accept your word.

But there will be others on site who clearly view it differently and who will see Verma as either having a good game however he plays or needing to be given more time and more chances to make his name.

Cos that's how it went with Kaebi.

I actually looked forward to the arrival of Kaebi. He sounded like an exciting signing, until I saw him play.

With this bloke we'll see. Pearson seems to have a good eye for players. But the signing of Verma and, more particularly, his immediate elevation to the first team squad still seems a strange one to me and I remain highly sceptical.

[Leicester Rule!]

well... he will sign in the next few days..

he works at Evington leisure centre, and well.. to say the least.. he is something special

i had the the pleasure of working with him when i was there on work experience, and.. played a bit of football with him

physically.. he is as strong as they get

he's got unbelievable pace and fitness for a guy with his build.. ( he is QUICK!!.. proper quick )

on top of all that.. he has skill... and a shot that quite literally almost took my head off..

he's about 6ft 1 . . and can jump to incredible heights

seriously guys.. he is 10 times the player howard is.. and would easily replace him (he has to sign first)

he will go far.. theres no doubt.. he was the academy captain for 2 years.. and yet leicester never signed him eariler

if i had to compare him with a player.. a taller, stronger, asian version of samuel eto'o comes to mind

believe me.. he's one to watch

Who are you from Evington work experience dont you mind me asking, as Ive worked there for ages .....

Worked with him, and played against him when he was at Redditch earlier this season too. Good player, not sure whether he is up for league 1, but is worth giving him a chance.

[Thracian]

...

Arsene Wenger, who is like, the expert on these things (sorry Phube ) says a foreign player, especially younger ones, needs 6months or even a year to adapt

I lost count of the times I referred to that and suggested exactly that approach with Kaebi. But still his blinkered supporters said play him.

[Big Bad Fox]

Who are you from Evington work experience dont you mind me asking, as Ive worked there for ages .....

Worked with him, and played against him when he was at Redditch earlier this season too. Good player, not sure whether he is up for league 1, but is worth giving him a chance.

question is........who are you??

[gosfox]

Pearson obviously see's something in the lad, and as has been said before.... there is nothing to lose by giving him a six month contract. If he doesn't make the grade he will join thousands of others in the same boat, but through the years several lads have made the big time after being rejected as kids.....lets hope this could be one more

[potter3]

Go back and read the threads campaigning on Kaebi's behalf. You will see exactly what I am getting at even if you don't want to acknowledge it.

A whole lot of posters appeared who had never been on site before, all of them extolling the virtues of Kaebi.

Many of those were actually Iranian football supporters.

I lost count of the times I referred to that and suggested exactly that approach with Kaebi. But still his blinkered supporters said play him.

So surely it was premature to judge him after barely any first team appearances, andquite a few of his reserve appearances out of position.

[Thracian]

Many of those were actually Iranian football supporters.

So surely it was premature to judge him after barely any first team appearances, andquite a few of his reserve appearances out of position.

It was premature to play him in the first team at all. He never merited it and looked way out of his depth when he did play.

As for being out of position he played either right back or right midfield - much as he'd normally play.

If 17/18 year olds can all be expected to play different roles I see no reason why a seasoned international shouldn't do the same. I have never heard such a lament of excuses for any one player in years as there was for Kaebi when he was here.

[Fez of Mahrez]

What year is it?

[coale39]

I cant wait to get to the game tomorrow and watch Laczko play.

[Bert]

What year is it?

2007, it seems.

[davieG]

From OS

New signing Aman Verma says he is still pinching himself after signing a six-month contract with his hometown club.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who hails from Humberstone, put pen-to-paper on a short-term deal on Thursday following an impressive trial period with the Foxes.

Verma had been part of the City Academy set up in his youth - but was released at the age of 13 before going into non-league football.

He continued his education and kept up his fitness by working as a gym instructor for Leicester City Council.

And his hard work paid off when he was asked to come to Belvoir Drive for a trial after he was spotted playing for Redditch United.

But despite being handed the number 34 shirt and travelling with the first team squad for the League One clash against Carlisle United, Verma knows he has far from made it just yet.

He said: "A lot of people have said that it's a rags to riches story - but I have got a long way to go. The way I see it is that I have been given a chance and I have got to make the most of it.

"I left Bedworth United and then I started pre-season at Redditch. My aim at that time was simply to get into the first team there. I did well and the right people were obviously watching.

"I started at Leicester when I was nine and stayed with the Academy until I was 12 or 13, when I got released.

"At that point I decided that was not the end and I just had to get back into the club again. If anything it made me more determined.

"I have lived here all my life and it would be a dream to play for Leicester City. I grew up in Humberston and went to Avenue Junior School. I then went to Loughborough College before I got a job as a fitness instructor at the Council.

"I had to go in and see them yesterday to tell them I had been given a six-month contract at Leicester City. They were a bit shocked as you can imagine. But everyone there has been brilliant to me and they are really happy that I have been given this chance.

"My preferred position is in the middle of the park, although I have been put up front for other clubs that I have played for because I am strong in the air and I can hold onto the ball."

Verma has not looked out of place in his two reserve games to date, but he recognises he now needs to improve further if he is going to make his mark.

He added: "The first thing I need to do it get my fitness levels up to the standard of everyone else here. But I will also be watching all the other players, especially those playing in my position, to learn as much as I can. I will also be seeking to get as much help from the sports scientists at the club to get physically as fit as everyone else.

"I am aiming to be one of the fittest players at the club to give me that extra edge.

"I have to simply keep my feet on the ground. As I said - it's a chance and one that I fully intend on making the most of."

If you are interested in sponsoring Aman Verma please contact Harj on 0116 2294536

[Ultra]

He was given lots of chances and I watched him lots of times. Not once whether in his specialist position or in an alternative position did he stand out. Quite the contrary. He was a liability at times.

The same could be said about Matty Fryatt, or any number of last season's squad.

Kaebi came to the wrong club in the wrong country at the wrong time. It doesn't mean he's a bad player, though. Anyone with his number of caps for one of Asia's top national sides must be able to play a bit.

As for Verma, he could go on to be as successful as Dion Dublin, another product of Leicester parks football (as my brother, who played against him, never ceases to remind me).

Or he could end up like Levi Porter.

Time will tell.

[Lillehamring]

From OS

Good cheek bones

[Thracian]

The same could be said about Matty Fryatt, or any number of last season's squad.

Kaebi came to the wrong club in the wrong country at the wrong time. It doesn't mean he's a bad player, though. Anyone with his number of caps for one of Asia's top national sides must be able to play a bit.

As for Verma, he could go on to be as successful as Dion Dublin, another product of Leicester parks football (as my brother, who played against him, never ceases to remind me).

Or he could end up like Levi Porter.

Time will tell.

The same was said about Matty Fryatt but at least he'd shown some "previous" and, believe me, there remains a major question mark over Fryatt's ability at a level higher than Division One.

But playing in a team that is capable of attacking might help him to come up with the preferred answer.

Kaebi was never big enough or strong enough for English football and would never have made it here whatever time he arrived.

It's a fair enough point about Dublin, hope indeed springs eternal.

Dublin was never what I'd call successful here but Varma at least sounds strong and if he's got anything like the ability of Levi Porter he'll be welcome.

Me I just believe he'll get ridiculous acclaim from certain followers but I look forward to being proved wrong.

He'll get no positive discrimination from me. I shall just consider him on his merits as a footballer and as a person, not as an Asian and as a strategic political weapon. And like everyone else who joins the club, I hope he does himself and the club proud.

[Tilley]

Good luck to the lad.

However, this is a dig at The Mercury.

I look at the sports section yesterday & read that we've signed him etc. & this is what is put in front of me...

Leicester-born Aman Verma is a step nearer to becoming his home-town club's first established British-Asian player after agreeing a six-month deal.

Why is his ethnic background so important? Really?

It is like when Paul Ince got the managers job at Blackburn, first Black British manager blah blah blah.

By saying things like that, it is talking like there isn't a level playing field with all ethnic groups etc, I might be overreacting, but it really pisses me off.

[davieG]

Good luck to the lad.

However, this is a dig at The Mercury.

I look at the sports section yesterday & read that we've signed him etc. & this is what is put in front of me...

Why is his ethnic background so important? Really?

It is like when Paul Ince got the managers job at Blackburn, first Black British manager blah blah blah.

By saying things like that, it is talking like there isn't a level playing field with all ethnic groups etc, I might be overreacting, but it really pisses me off.

It's what newspapers do.

First woman, first black, tallest, shortest, oldest, youngest, biggest tits, they're always looking for an edge.

[Thracian]

Good luck to the lad.

However, this is a dig at The Mercury.

I look at the sports section yesterday & read that we've signed him etc. & this is what is put in front of me...

Why is his ethnic background so important? Really?

It is like when Paul Ince got the managers job at Blackburn, first Black British manager blah blah blah.

By saying things like that, it is talking like there isn't a level playing field with all ethnic groups etc, I might be overreacting, but it really pisses me off.

Absolutely. Cos it damn well shouldn't be important. The Mercury are only encouraging the notion of positive discrimination and the sooner it ends and the sooner people are all treated as just that, the better. I have never in my life had a second thought about respecting everyone until they proved unworthy of respect.

But it is clear in many ways that the Mercury allow themselves to be pressured by people with vested interests, presumably in persuance of easy sales.

I'd even ask my friend Ultra directly, knowing his situation, whether he believes the City team should be made up of players from all over the world or from the best players available to them irrespective of orignin?

Because while I don't give a toss where people come from I sure as hell dislike the idea of ethnic manipulation because it is unfair, it is unnecessary, it patronises perfectly capable people and I don't believe for one minute that the Labour Party would ever sanction positive discrimination in favour of whites, a sure sign to me of exactly how ractist they are.

There is a restaurant near me that employs only Asian people. I would ask Ultra. Has anyone ever gone to a restaurant in Leicester or Leicestershire with all Asian employeees and suggested they should have white English or white Eastern European workers? Cos if so I don't see any evidence of the campaign working. And are efforts being made to persuade Asian run organisations to positively promote white people into senior positions?

There's no hypocrisy from my side.

My oldest son has long run a company which is made up of people from a huge variety of ethnic origins. His only interest is in whether his staff can do their job. And he promotes people according to ability not ethnic background.