Emile Ivanhoe Heskey

[1884Fox]

That would be a woeful set up.

Heskey should be played as the furthest man up the pitch.

Great signing if it comes off; has the potential to do the same job for us as Roberts did for Reading.

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[Brenfox]

Any more news mate?

[Nick]

It seems like Fez is one of the few who actually noticed how Heskey has performed for Villa.

I'm not sure about that.

I read the article and to be fair really respect Mr. Bevan's work on the whole and have rarely found myself disagreeing with him.

But today I do.

Now, I'm not some sentimental, tears in my eyes, memory lane, tell Mom stories Heskey fan, but whilst I enjoyed the second half of the article I do think the beginning is a little harsh, a little weak in critical analysis or reflection and to be honest a bit of a cheap shot in the first couple of paragraphs - Sorry Fez.

Now I do not profess to be an author of any literary works of excellence, my issue with the article is football based. Whilst it's easy to join in with institutionalised footballing views of this veteran player - it's a little harder to be critical and look at exactly at Villa how he has been played on the field as a sub or out wide in a forward role with a specific job.

Yeah I do think he can do a job in this division - hell Howard has 'done a job' for the past few years and Heskey is in a different class. He'll give us the option we have lacked in order to close games out and score from corners and set pieces and he'll occupy two defenders every moment he stands in the box. He'll win every header that leaves Kasper's boot - that's what he does.

He'll get ten goals next season in a heartbeat but assists or not he'll create ten goals for the midfielders drawing out defenders and creating space.

Anybody watched him at Villa over the past 2 years or are people just picking out stats that suit?

[Austin]

Come home Emile.

[Bettsj2]

I'm not sure about that.

I read the article and to be fair really respect Mr. Bevan's work on the whole and have rarely found myself disagreeing with him.

But today I do.

Now, I'm not some sentimental, tears in my eyes, memory lane, tell Mom stories Heskey fan, but whilst I enjoyed the second half of the article I do think the beginning is a little harsh, a little weak in critical analysis or reflection and to be honest a bit of a cheap shot in the first couple of paragraphs - Sorry Fez.

Now I do not profess to be an author of any literary works of excellence, my issue with the article is football based. Whilst it's easy to join in with institutionalised footballing views of this veteran player - it's a little harder to be critical and look at exactly at Villa how he has been played on the field as a sub or out wide in a forward role with a specific job.

Yeah I do think he can do a job in this division - hell Howard has 'done a job' for the past few years and Heskey is in a different class. He'll give us the option we have lacked in order to close games out and score from corners and set pieces and he'll occupy two defenders every moment he stands in the box. He'll win every header that leaves Kasper's boot - that's what he does.

He'll get ten goals next season in a heartbeat but assists or not he'll create ten goals for the midfielders drawing out defenders and creating space.

Anybody watched him at Villa over the past 2 years or are people just picking out stats that suit?

Stats can be made to look how you want them to look. The truth of it is, he has played at the highest level for 15 years, every striker that he's played with sing his praises, capped at all levels for England , ALWAYS gives 100% and has never been mixed up in any big time charlie shit.

He's a decent guy who's winding up a great career and would not let us down.

[Fox 4 Life]

Heskey has never been a traditional goalscorer, this season he was playing for one of the worst sides in the league in the hardest league in the world. Agbonlahors record was 33 games 5 goals, would you also say no to him? Heskey could definitely do a job in the championship and is the kind of target man we have been missing. IMO becks, Nuge and vardy would all excel playing off of him

[Candidcamera]

I thought when this came up last time he is a must. I would go further he loves the club and we need people like him. If he wants to come lets see how he goes.

[Feed The Yak!!]

So the player we've just signed for £1M, the striker who in his first season with us scored 12 League Goals (That's More Than Beckford), and the player who who was starting World Cup Games two years ago aren't good enough for us...

Well when you say it like that sure it sounds ridiculous but let's be honest non-league to championship is a huge step to make (really hope he makes it though) and I'm not sure he should be thrown straight into it.

I think most on here would agree that Waghorn isn't good enough, maybe he'll prove me wrong but who knows.

Finally, I assumed Heskey was going to be used as a much better Howard from the bench. After all the fact that he has played in world cups doesn't matter. He's 34.

Anyway there's another striker we could get. He played for England in the euros so he's automatically good at this level. He's been released by his club so he would be on a free and he's two years younger than Heskey...

But seriously I do want Heskey to come here, however I'm not sure whether half way through the season I want to be relying on Emile Heskey to fire us to promotion. I'd rather Nugent and another striker with Vardy/Schlupp and Heskey on the bench.

[Mark_w]

I think most on here would agree that Waghorn isn't good enough, maybe he'll prove me wrong but who knows.

The one full season he's had, regularly starting as a striker he was great. Under Sousa/Sven he was often brought on off the bench with no time to make an impact or shoved out onto the wing. Not to mention the fact that most of our players where pretty poor that season. Heskey, Vardy, Waghorn and Nugent is more than good enough to get us promoted.

[ThurnbyLodgeFox]

Just what we need, a decent target man

[dorsetfox]

id like heskey to come back but i cant help but think that this return will tarnish my memories when emile was a beast and loved by all and was a great player for us in a great era

for me hes up there with the likes of walshy,elliot,guppy,izzet etc etc

i dont want to see him underperform and have to be dissapointed with him

[Guest Col city fan]

The one full season he's had, regularly starting as a striker he was great. Under Sousa/Sven he was often brought on off the bench with no time to make an impact or shoved out onto the wing. Not to mention the fact that most of our players where pretty poor that season. Heskey, Vardy, Waghorn and Nugent is more than good enough to get us promoted.

I can't see any reason why Waghorn can't return to his previous form with City.

He's quick, strong and I think can readily be the 'target man' we are crying out for, with the ball played into his feet.

His shooting can be exceptional, but it can be woeful too.

Coaching....... Get him into shooting practice a lot of the time.

I think he's good enough to have a real impact this season

[Tielemans63]

I'm not a huge fan of Emile but all of his strike partners rave about him. Darren Bent even called for him to come back into the team last season as he felt that he'd get more goals with EH in the side. Could be the man to get the best out of Nuge and Becks - who knows?

[accessory]

Didn't we go through this 8 years ago with Dion Dublin?

[Fez of Mahrez]

Now, I'm not some sentimental, tears in my eyes, memory lane, tell Mom stories Heskey fan, but whilst I enjoyed the second half of the article I do think the beginning is a little harsh, a little weak in critical analysis or reflection and to be honest a bit of a cheap shot in the first couple of paragraphs - Sorry Fez.

Happy to take any criticism, don't worry! As I put elsewhere, it wasn't meant as an appraisal of his career so far. It was meant as a reminder of how good he was earlier in his career before he ended up as the butt of so many jokes. People are quick to criticise perceived failures and it's always struck me as unfair when it comes to Heskey, who always gives his all and has achieved some great things in his career. Honestly didn't mean anything as a cheap shot, just wanted to put a throwaway line in there about the rest of his career I suppose.

[wolfgang amadeus]

What???? As good as Howard if not better??? Are you serious....seriously??? He is 10 times the player Howard was or is. OMG I think I've heard it all....I'm off for a lie down.

I know he's a better player, my post was questioning why people thought he wasn't worth a shot when Howard has done alright for us over the last few years and its clear that Heskey would be as good in that role and most probably be better.. I would absolutely love him to come back.

[Webbo]

Happy to take any criticism, don't worry! As I put elsewhere, it wasn't meant as an appraisal of his career so far. It was meant as a reminder of how good he was earlier in his career before he ended up as the butt of so many jokes. People are quick to criticise perceived failures and it's always struck me as unfair when it comes to Heskey, who always gives his all and has achieved some great things in his career. Honestly didn't mean anything as a cheap shot, just wanted to put a throwaway line in there about the rest of his career I suppose.

I bet you call him Bruno as well.

[Jace]

Didn't we go through this 8 years ago with Dion Dublin?

Sticking Heskey centre back to replace Matt Mills could answer many of our problems too

[Feed The Yak!!]

The one full season he's had, regularly starting as a striker he was great. Under Sousa/Sven he was often brought on off the bench with no time to make an impact or shoved out onto the wing. Not to mention the fact that most of our players where pretty poor that season. Heskey, Vardy, Waghorn and Nugent is more than good enough to get us promoted.

Let's just agree to disagree.

[MPH]

I remember when ferdinand signed for us. I loved him.

It was obvious age had caught up with him speed-wise but the knowledge/ experience he had and ability to bring others into the game that he gained from years of playing in the top flight was clear to see. And he was 37 at the time.

A more mobile version of that, being three years younger too i think would be a huge asset for us in the division below.

Even if, as i would expect, we drop him like a hot potato when we get promoted...

[carlhltid]

looks like were getting him on a 1 year deal

[Danny the Fox 95]

He'll have the same effect as Jason Roberts did at Reading. Strong player with a big aerial presence. Okay, he doesn't score goals, but he can definitely assist players to great effect.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Not excited by this whatsoever

[lestajigs]

Not excited by this whatsoever

Wouldnt be to bothered he hasn't signed yet

[Leicester_Numan]

Well, we've offered him a 1 year deal which is sensible given his age and his recent injury problems. He'll probably leave it for a while to see if he gets any offers from Prem clubs. I haven't seen any rumours suggesting any are interested so he may well sign. He'd be head and shoulders above any defender in this division. Literally. Very rare Heskey doesn't win the ball in the air which is something we've missed the last couple of years with Howard being past his sell by date