KEA or Sylla?

[Villafirst]

I can't understand KEA playing instead of Sylla. I'm sorry but I just don't rate KEA. Sylla was great in the last few games of last season, the midfield looked far more robust with Sylla playing - he also offers a layer of protection for the defence - shocking tactics against Ben Arfa where cover for Luna was needed. Do you agree?

[PaulWinch again]

Sylla massively improved us last year and should be in the team.

[eastie]

Messi or heskey?

The answer to the question is surprise surprise sylla

[taylorsworkrate]

Sort of a choice between eating dog shit and not eating dog shit.

Simply has to be Sylla

[PGW]

Surprise surprise - Sylla

[supertom]

I think KEA did okay in pre-season. He warranted starting based on pre-season performances (Sylla missing games with injury didn't help him), but again, early signs of a bit of promise have slipped away. I just think he's a very average player. No pace at all, technically pretty average, no physical presence, he can't tackle. On his game he's quite tidy with the ball, without really being penetrative in any way. I just think he offers very little impact on our midfield. He's quite sloppy at times too and gives the ball away a lot.

Sylla is strong, a great athlete, and he gets about the opposition. He's not bad on the ball either, certainly he improved greatly in the last few weeks last season.

Our midfield has only ever looked balanced when we've had a three of Delph, Westwood and Sylla. Westy is the cultured, considered footballer, the other two make up for his lack of pace and running with their dynamism.

Something about KEA and Westwood together doesn't seem right, and has no balance. It leaves us too slow in midfield and too easily overrun.

[pelty]

Yes, Sylla is the clear answer here; he should have been in the team as soon as he was healthy.

[Desontheholte]

Im not really a fan of either to b honest! KEA has had enough time to prove himself and hasnt done enough to warrant a place in the team apart from the odd decent performance away from home. And sylla has hardly pulled up any trees when ive seen him play! He gives us a bit of beef but thats it and can look clumsy with the ball at his feet. If push came to shove i would go KEA but i dont think either of them would get in to any other premier league team! Or most championship teams! Its not good But im afraid its true!

[KevinGage]

Someone mentioned on another thread that we don't see either player in training and such like.  Which is absolutely valid. 

But unless Sylla has been having a complete 'mare in training sessions, or is acting like an arse, it's hard to see how KEA would continue to get a game ahead of him.   True, he did have one of his better games against Arsenal.  But he's looked largely ineffective for the best part of 12 months. 

In contrast, Sylla's arrival mdway through the last campaign coincided with our upturn in form.  It's more than just coincidence too, he brings physicality and athleticism to a midfield patrolled by diddy men.

[silhillvilla]

SYLLA SYLLA SYLLA
HE LOVES TO PLAY FOR VILLA
Ooooooooooooohhhhhr Oooooooooooohhhr

Repeat

[Dave]

Sylla massively improved us last year and should be in the team.

Reverting to 4-3-3 massively improved us last year and that coincided with Sylla coming into the side.

KEA looked pretty poor, but I'd wager that most of our midfielders (Sylla included) will look pretty mediocre if they don't have the security of two other players around them - which KEA never has until the first couple of games of this season, both of which he looked very good in.

[OCD]

KEA started the season well and Sylla looked undercooked against Rotherham. I think the decision has been justified up until now but I expect Sylla to get himself in sooner or later. It's good that we have such threads though because it's a sign of getting a squad together. And of course, it's amazing how after a defeat the players who didn't play are suddenly better (I didn't see this point being made after the Arsenal or Chelsea games).

[silhillvilla]

Reality is, if lambert screws the tactics up again it matters not who plays. System Narrow is flawed.

[not3bad]

On his game he's quite tidy with the ball, without really being penetrative in any way. I just think he offers very little impact on our midfield.

That's KEA for me.

[PeterWithe]

KEA plays instead of Westwood depending on form, not as well as him. Sylla would be one of the first on the teamsheet for me.