Post by DL on Nov 22, 2003 12:17:10 GMT
07/10/2003. David O'Leary is willing to offer disaffected trio Juan Pablo Angel, Alpay and Bosko Balaban another chance at the club. He will welcome all of them into his plans for the new season if they show a willingness and commitment to play for Villa and fit into his way of thinking.
Angel and Alpay were persistently grumbling last season under ex-manager Graham Taylor, and both demanded to leave the club. £6 million signing Balaban, meanwhile, was loaned back to Croatia for the whole season.
"Everyone will start with a clean sheet," stressed O'Leary. "You've got to say that. This is not my team that is in place. I've taken it over.
"Will Alpay, Balaban and Angel be involved? If they fit in, then yes.
"We all have our own opinions on players, on what you want them to do and the way you want to play and only time will tell if they can fit into that.
"You want players. It makes it easier if you like them and, if they are good, you haven't got to put your head on the line going out to get players - and that helps the cause.
"If they don't fit in, then they don't play. All I can say is that I will pick the 11 players that is best for the way I play.
"But if the three of them fit into what I want, then they could stay. Without a shadow of a doubt. It makes life a lot easier.
"Pre-season will give me a chance to ascertain that to an extent, but pre-season is only really about getting fit for the first match.
"When you really get your opinions and find out about such things, is in the Premiership. That's where you are judged. You start to really get to know players in the big matches.
Angel and Alpay were persistently grumbling last season under ex-manager Graham Taylor, and both demanded to leave the club. £6 million signing Balaban, meanwhile, was loaned back to Croatia for the whole season.
"Everyone will start with a clean sheet," stressed O'Leary. "You've got to say that. This is not my team that is in place. I've taken it over.
"Will Alpay, Balaban and Angel be involved? If they fit in, then yes.
"We all have our own opinions on players, on what you want them to do and the way you want to play and only time will tell if they can fit into that.
"You want players. It makes it easier if you like them and, if they are good, you haven't got to put your head on the line going out to get players - and that helps the cause.
"If they don't fit in, then they don't play. All I can say is that I will pick the 11 players that is best for the way I play.
"But if the three of them fit into what I want, then they could stay. Without a shadow of a doubt. It makes life a lot easier.
"Pre-season will give me a chance to ascertain that to an extent, but pre-season is only really about getting fit for the first match.
"When you really get your opinions and find out about such things, is in the Premiership. That's where you are judged. You start to really get to know players in the big matches.