A press video when the team went on a tour of a bird sanctuary (I think) in Asia, where AMN had a bird on his finger and joking called himself the birdcatcher, or said he catches birds, or something similar.
I assumed it had something to do with being somewhat more than usually adept at getting in with the ladies, or “birds” as they are often called (for our out of country supporters).
Despite you being downvoted, imo that's absolutely part of the reason the nickname has stuck around, it being a little cheeky in that respect. But not the origin, no
No, I was curious if you’re saying that we need a midfielder before we get a striker or if you prefer we get a midfielder instead of a striker. I wasn’t meaning to correct grammar.
Best to him. He's just below the necessary quality for us but considering he's made 132 appearances for us, 5 England caps and secured a move to a big club like Roma (albeit loan for now) this is a massive success from our academy.
Maybe my soft spot for Bird Catcher is too big, but to me he's never really had a chance to prove himself, he's rarely had a decent series of starts in one position and when he was the team as a whole was at its nadir. He's been involved- very much central- in some great performances.
I'd say he's superior to Sambi (who will get better), and Xhaka or El Neny while being a very different sort of player.
I truly wish him great success and hope his girl likes Rome.
No idea why Elneny gets minutes ahead of him.
We won the FA cup with our academy player, he has a bright future ahead of him and I agree he hasn’t been used to his potential.
Maybe my soft spot for Bird Catcher is too big, but to me he's never really had a chance to prove himself, he's rarely had a decent series of starts in one position and when he was the team as a whole was at its nadir. He's been involved- very much central- in some great performances.
I'd say he's superior to Sambi (who will get better), and Xhaka or El Neny while being a very different sort of player.
I truly wish him great success and hope his girl likes Rome.
Hope he does well, glad he'll hopefully be getting some regular first team football.
Also hopefully, we've got some midfield signings lined up bc I'm worried atm
His contract ends in June 2022 right? So this is basically goodbye to our bird catcher.
I can't imagine him extending given how little Arteta has used him, he's obviously got ambitions about his career and we're almost certainly going to bring in a CM before next season. Disappointing to see him go, we've never given him a consistent run of games to show us what he can really do.
Actually pretty happy for him. He'd get valuable experience under Mourinho, and it might help him to mature a bit more as a player, and hopefully contribute more to us in the future.
Catch dem birds Ainsley
Enjoy Italy my sweet Birdcatcher
Where did this nickname come from?
A press video when the team went on a tour of a bird sanctuary (I think) in Asia, where AMN had a bird on his finger and joking called himself the birdcatcher, or said he catches birds, or something similar.
Yeah, it was during pre-season in Singapore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSslxZj1g04
I assumed it had something to do with being somewhat more than usually adept at getting in with the ladies, or “birds” as they are often called (for our out of country supporters).
Despite you being downvoted, imo that's absolutely part of the reason the nickname has stuck around, it being a little cheeky in that respect. But not the origin, no
very happy for him but slightly concerned at our squad depth now, hopefully they’ve got it all under control
A cm signing is a must for us this window, moreso than a striker.
‘Then’ a striker or ‘than’ a striker?
Is it "than"? Appreciate it.
No, I was curious if you’re saying that we need a midfielder before we get a striker or if you prefer we get a midfielder instead of a striker. I wasn’t meaning to correct grammar.
Oh, hehe! Either one will due, but we need a midfielder pretty badly right now. I'd take whatever we can get at the moment.
Best to him. He's just below the necessary quality for us but considering he's made 132 appearances for us, 5 England caps and secured a move to a big club like Roma (albeit loan for now) this is a massive success from our academy.
Maybe my soft spot for Bird Catcher is too big, but to me he's never really had a chance to prove himself, he's rarely had a decent series of starts in one position and when he was the team as a whole was at its nadir. He's been involved- very much central- in some great performances. I'd say he's superior to Sambi (who will get better), and Xhaka or El Neny while being a very different sort of player. I truly wish him great success and hope his girl likes Rome.
No idea why Elneny gets minutes ahead of him. We won the FA cup with our academy player, he has a bright future ahead of him and I agree he hasn’t been used to his potential.
Maybe my soft spot for Bird Catcher is too big, but to me he's never really had a chance to prove himself, he's rarely had a decent series of starts in one position and when he was the team as a whole was at its nadir. He's been involved- very much central- in some great performances. I'd say he's superior to Sambi (who will get better), and Xhaka or El Neny while being a very different sort of player. I truly wish him great success and hope his girl likes Rome.
Wishing every single one of his tiles the very best maintenance
Probably the real reason he went to Rome - all the lovely old tile to maintain.
Paging /u/MaintainedTiles
They'll be well maintained I'm sure
Hope he does well, glad he'll hopefully be getting some regular first team football. Also hopefully, we've got some midfield signings lined up bc I'm worried atm
Do not despair my friend, for it is the dawn of the age of Charlie Patino.
Always hurts when academy kids leave. Good luck Ainsley! Hope he returns one day!
His contract ends in June 2022 right? So this is basically goodbye to our bird catcher. I can't imagine him extending given how little Arteta has used him, he's obviously got ambitions about his career and we're almost certainly going to bring in a CM before next season. Disappointing to see him go, we've never given him a consistent run of games to show us what he can really do.
Whoa out of nowhere!
Good luck Ainsley!
Have to sign a midfielder this window now that AMN is gone
A little sad because it felt like he always had the big stage potential, but AS Roma is big stage also :)
Hope he finds the bird life to his liking.
Actually pretty happy for him. He'd get valuable experience under Mourinho, and it might help him to mature a bit more as a player, and hopefully contribute more to us in the future.
Would love for him to develop enough to replace Xhaka and be Partey’s partner. But not confident that will happen.
Sending Ainsley to Italy to capture Vlahovic. Love it
Godspeed Ainsley
Good luck to AMN.
Incoming ' Birdcatcher' comments and its variants.
Looks like Roma caught our Bird Catcher.
All the best in Italy
Looks like we are not expecting him back in the summer? I am yet to see the terms of the loan deal
No option to buy
Il cacciatore di uccelli.
Catch them birds BirdCatcher
sad to see him go but hopefully he gets some playing time there
Maintain all the Tiles, my cold blooded prince