[Archived] Blackburn Sign Chilean Superstar Carlos Villanueva

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I'm slightly built, unskillful, play as a striker, couldn't hit a cows backside with a banjo and fall over when trying to shoot at goal.

I guess I share similarities to Emile Heskey.

[T4E]

I'd say you share more similarities with Francis Jeffers.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I'll take that especially considering Jeffers has one of the best ever goals to games ratio in international football, especially in England's history.

[tonyoz]

And here he is on youtube:

I'm pretty sure he had chickenpox too.

[imy9]

I'll take that especially considering Jeffers has one of the best ever goals to games ratio in international football, especially in England's history.

Slight correction GOAL to GAME ratio, he only ever scored ONE!

[LeChuck]

To just put it in perspective, here's someone quite similar to Villanueva who has found it tough. Small, skilful, attacking midfielder/winger, Latin American...although he came with plenty of European league experience and a bigger reputation.

I'm worried that we're all expecting far too much from Villanueva. I'm not even sure how he fits in to the our team at present, the only position for him really is understudy to Pedersen unless we change our shape.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

There is one thing that separates the like of Castillo and Villanueva which guarantees him to be a success..........he's a pineapple head.

There has never ever been an unsuccessful pineapple head in the history of the Premier League.

[Guest Kamy100]

Just back from Ewood and very promising debut from Carlos. Has got a wonder of a left foot and showed some neat touches, superb shot and he also showed good upper body strength to hold of challenges. Although it was only Grimsby have to say it was a promising performance. Can't see him playing in central midfield, more off a striker or out wide.

[den]

Don't get too carried away by Carlos. He has a certain talent on the ball, but is very lightweight and very slow.

I suspected a while ago that he wouldn't fit in a centre mid position - and he wont. So, he's either a left winger that wouldn't dislodge Ped yet, or he's a second front man. However, his lack of pace will always be a problem. The best chance of getting him into a team, would be to play with 5 in midfield, but that causes other problems.

A good start from him though. Strikes a ball well and turns well with it. We'll have to see him against the John Terry's and Rio Ferdinands of this world to properly judge.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

If you could compare his pace to another Rovers player, who would it be like?

Slow as in the slowest in our team or as fast as Dunny?

[67splitscreen]

If you could compare his pace to another Rovers player, who would it be like?

Slow as in the slowest in our team or as fast as Dunny?

Slow as in SSllllooooowwww.

But has very quick feet. and turns on a dime.

Den's is a pretty fair assessment.

[DingleBaiter]

Don't get too carried away by Carlos. He has a certain talent on the ball, but is very lightweight and very slow.

I suspected a while ago that he wouldn't fit in a centre mid position - and he wont. So, he's either a left winger that wouldn't dislodge Ped yet, or he's a second front man. However, his lack of pace will always be a problem. The best chance of getting him into a team, would be to play with 5 in midfield, but that causes other problems.

A good start from him though. Strikes a ball well and turns well with it. We'll have to see him against the John Terry's and Rio Ferdinands of this world to properly judge.

Interesting analogy time.

King Carlos's first forays into the game were disasters (missed ball, gave away free-kick they scored from and then misplaced a pass). Guy behind me - typical Blackburn fan - always delighted to moan, never to praise, goes off on one. Carlos scores - he says he got lucky. Carlos gets involved in setting up second, taking shot which Derbs scores on rebound. Guy behind me gruffs and huffs a little. Carlos grows in confidence as game goes on - he starts cheering. Carlos plays 90 mins - with a little help from Roque on the translation front (wonder if he thought he was being subbed when he saw his face on screen for man match?) - guy seems converted to the cause. Carlos gets rousing reception on leaving pitch - fella says he knew he was a good un all along.

Carlos tonight showed lots of good touches, confidence, sets up chances and hits bar with a free kick at the death. All in all, a confident debut, though clearly struggling with fitness and against poor quality opponents, hardly any negatives to be seen. If any, certainly nothing conclusively bad or to worry about. Personally, I can't think of another recent Rovers player similar to him that's got so much positivity, flair, skill, potential, so much verve, and a potential crowd pleaser - Jansen probably closest I guess.

Main thing to remember, just as the guy behind me showed tonight - we can be too quick to moan sometimes, and conversely too quick to praise (interesting parallels with Mr Ince). Clearly Carlos will have bad games, and maybe not be as influential as he was tonight. I was a bit wary when saw him playing so far forward, but it proved to be a masterstroke - Grimby played 5 across back and no-one could mark Carlos. Fair point about quality centre halves, but let's err on the side of credit for now. I'm just glad at least it's the same guy that we saw on Youtube & not another Ali Dia affair.

As entitled as you are to your opinion, I'm just happy to have him in the side and if he can play like he did tonight, that's all that matters to me. Not where he can't play, what he lacks etc. If you were bumping uglies with Cameron Diaz, would you say 'yeah, but you've crap skin though, love'?

[Paul Mellelieu]

For the older members, the new Johny Price?

[HATRIX]

He 's going to get better and better, all hail the king

[jim mk2]

Interesting analogy time.

King Carlos's first forays into the game were disasters (missed ball, gave away free-kick they scored from and then misplaced a pass). Guy behind me - typical Blackburn fan - always delighted to moan, never to praise, goes off on one.

That would be the man with 4 toilets . Surprised he's not back here - probably thumped someone in the pub.

[RevidgeBlue]

Don't get too carried away by Carlos. He has a certain talent on the ball, but is very lightweight and very slow.

I suspected a while ago that he wouldn't fit in a centre mid position - and he wont. So, he's either a left winger that wouldn't dislodge Ped yet, or he's a second front man. However, his lack of pace will always be a problem. The best chance of getting him into a team, would be to play with 5 in midfield, but that causes other problems.

A good start from him though. Strikes a ball well and turns well with it. We'll have to see him against the John Terry's and Rio Ferdinands of this world to properly judge.

Extremely harsh assessment that, we got off to a sluggish start and it looked momentarily like another "Coventry"

Carlos then quickly turned the game completely on its head, first with a superb strike from distance then with another bit of opportunism which left Derbyshire a tap in.

After that, he (and Rovers) were cruising but he looked a class act throughout. Skill and technique with the ball in abundance and I look forward to seeing him against Premiership defences.

[Al]

Don't get too carried away by Carlos. He has a certain talent on the ball, but is very lightweight and very slow.

I suspected a while ago that he wouldn't fit in a centre mid position - and he wont. So, he's either a left winger that wouldn't dislodge Ped yet, or he's a second front man. However, his lack of pace will always be a problem. The best chance of getting him into a team, would be to play with 5 in midfield, but that causes other problems.

A good start from him though. Strikes a ball well and turns well with it. We'll have to see him against the John Terry's and Rio Ferdinands of this world to properly judge.

I saw no lack of pace. His main problem is his ability to trap the ball but this can be worked on. He looks a real prospect to me and has a brilliant left foot.

It may take a little time but I think he will be a super find given a little time.

Definately wasted as a left winger.

[DingleBaiter]

I saw no lack of pace. His main problem is his ability to trap the ball but this can be worked on. He looks a real prospect to me and has a brilliant left foot.

It may take a little time but I think he will be a super find given a little time.

Definately wasted as a left winger.

Reminds me of a coach at Southampton who said Shearer couldn't trap a bag of cement

[simdohquo]

Carlos showed lots of promise last night... I has very impressed and so were most of those around me... in fact not one negative comment...

We love you Carlos... and if it's quite alright

We love you Carlos... you're gonna make my night

We love you Carlos... Score a goal if you can.

How many Rovers Players have their own song... how many get it on their debut... not many... extra verses apply here!

Let's all be positive for a change...

This lad, albeit a short arse!, is gonna make Ronaldo look like an amateur...

[Ronin]

Glad we've got first dibs at a pre-arranged fee!

[doowe]

For the older members, the new Johny Price?

No not little Johny... But for me last night i thought we`d brought back Damion Johnson!, a dead ringer in my veiw

[T4E]

We love you Carlos... and if it's quite alright

We love you Carlos... you're gonna make my night

We love you Carlos... Score a goal if you can.

How many Rovers Players have their own song... how many get it on their debut... not many... extra verses apply here!

I was going for something along the lines of the Liverpool - Torres song,

He's an English football noob, Carlos, Carlos,

Incey found him on YouTube, Carlos, Carlos,

He's 5'6" and 7 stone,

He's our Maradona clone,

Vi-lla-nue-va, Chilean superstar!

[RibbleValleyRover]

He doesn't have electric pace but i don't think he is as slow as people make out. He's the sort of player who doesn't need great pace, with quick feet and a low centre of gravity allowing him to turn quickly all he needs to do is produce a burst of acceleration and he will beat people.

You also have to keep in mind that its likely he is lacking match sharpness and or match fitness after sufering from chicken pox.

On the whole it was a very impressive debut by Carlos.

[BRFCBOY]

I was going for something along the lines of the Liverpool - Torres song,

He's an English football noob, Carlos, Carlos,

Incey found him on YouTube, Carlos, Carlos,

He's 5'6" and 7 stone,

He's our Maradona clone,

Vi-lla-nue-va, Chilean superstar!

quite like that pal

[RevidgeBlue]

No not little Johny... But for me last night i thought we`d brought back Damion Johnson!, a dead ringer in my veiw

A mate of mine thought he was very much like David Thompson in style and appearance. (With a lot more skill imo)

In terms of playing style, nothing like Johnny Price imo, lil ol' Tom Thumb used to hug the right hand touchline and had one main weapon in his armoury, beating his man on the outside and lobbing a cross in.

Carlos seems a lot happier roaming about in a fairly free role and looks a lot more dangerous in the centre.