Delph

[ASHTONVILLA]

The turn around in our midfield is the main reason for the uplift in form post Jan. Delph has played a big role in this and has really stepped up to the plate in 2013.

A midfield three of Westwood and Delph plus a battler will be a good balance. Not convinced the KEA or Sylla are the answer for that third place, but both are good enough to be competing for one of the three places if injuries happen.

I hope Delph stays injury free for a couple of seasons now, if he does that then maybe we will finally see the player MON thought he was buying. In fairness to young delph due to injuries and frequent managerial changes he has never had a good run in the team until now.

[eastie]

His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.

Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught - goals is one thing we do need to see from midfield.

[Concrete John]

Yep - the return from midfield has been very poor this season and is one of the reasons we've struggled.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think we're judging the current midfield'd scoring rate based on an old fashioned 442. In a 433 it's rare that they break past the forwards, so they're less likely to score.

Whereas on other threads people have been saying they can't remember the last time we had three forwards get 10+ goals.

Swings and roundabouts innit.

[not3bad]

Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught

Frustrating to see and something he needs to work on without doubt.

[eastie]

Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught

Frustrating to see and something he needs to work on without doubt.

He seemed to score quite often at Leeds and had a decent shot on him from outside the box.

[Concrete John]

I think we're judging the current midfield'd scoring rate based on an old fashioned 442. In a 433 it's rare that they break past the forwards, so they're less likely to score.

Whereas on other threads people have been saying they can't remember the last time we had three forwards get 10+ goals.

Swings and roundabouts innit.

You should still normally have the most advanced of the middle 3 chipping in with a few - Lampard/Gerrard like - we don't.

[Lastfootstamper]

His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.

Yes when he broke through the middle i expected him to shoot but he hesitated on Monday and got caught - goals is one thing we do need to see from midfield.

He worked that opening brilliantly for himself, he needs to trust his right foot when it's needed.
Just bloody hit it!
You don't shoot, you sure as hell won't score.

That'd be my only criticism of him of late. His tackling has vastly improved, he no longer looks like a booking waiting to happen. Perhaps that's down to this extended run in the side allowing him to hone his timing of the game at this level.

[Mossie Hennebry]

He's also clearly got a sense of humour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447

[dave.woodhall]

He's also clearly got a sense of humour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447

WM supportive as ever, there.

[curiousorange]

How old does Delph sound in that article?

[N'ZMAV]

He's also clearly got a sense of humour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447

WM supportive as ever, there.

WM just bore me to death these days. I remember them praising Reo-Coker one game saying he should play for England, then the next game they was saying he wasn't good enough for Villa. Totally clueless at times.

[Somniloquism]

He's also clearly got a sense of humour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447

WM supportive as ever, there.

Does anyone know what they were negative about after the Sunderland game? I know they rolled out the old "why isn't Bent starting?" after the Fulham one.

[dave.woodhall]

He's also clearly got a sense of humour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22366447

WM supportive as ever, there.

Does anyone know what they were negative about after the Sunderland game? I know they rolled out the old "why isn't Bent starting?" after the Fulham one.

The weather? Traffic?

[midnite]

Most improved player this season for me. Maybe that's lamberts influence on him I don't know. But from what he was like last season and the beginning of this season, the difference is night and day.

Still a little rash at times but I don't mind that. It was the constant leaping off the ground and two footed challenges that would wind me up. You knew before he's even made the tackle he was going to get booked.

Much more mature and composed on the ball and I can see the reasons why we bought him