Tom Cleverley loan watch

[PeterWithesShin]

For me it would be Delph, Sanchez and one of Westwood/Cleverly.

[silhillvilla]

That's very harsh on Sanchez.

Sanchez is very much the anchor of our midfield. And he's improving game by game. He looks a great signing to me and someone you can build around.

[Toronto Villa]

I like Sanchez but I think we have looked as decent a midfield as we've had for a while with Cleverley, Delph, and Westwood playing together.

I
Peter, we've had that midfield for most of the season and it's been toothless.

It's looked toothless and useless because they haven't been involved in the game other than to stem wave after wave of attacks. When your entire tactic has been to kick the ball to the opponent how are we ever going to see the potential of any of these players? We might start to see it more now they are being encouraged to play with the ball a bit more.

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What I hope Saturday shows is that we don't need a flat three in midfield to keep the ball or stop the opposition.

Delph and Sanchez played well, while Weimann was given the job of pressing Rooney and moved around considerably more because of this role.

Against sides at home, we should be capable of taking one of those central defenders out and replacing him with an attacking midfielder to play in front of Delph and Sanchez.

[Richard E]

I don't feel as though I have seen enough of Cleverley to make a final judgement on him to be honest. On balance I'd probably keep him.

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I'd like to see him pushed in front of Snachez and Delph, as he does move the ball quickly and has a good range of passing. Get that closer to the opposition box feeding Benteke etc and we could see the best of him.

He is being hampered tacked onto a flat central three.

[Ron Manager]

As I have said previously we need someone to go up front with Benteke. Someone with goals and movement in their locker .Someone like a younger Jermain Defoe. Then Cleverley can play just behind them where he could be very effective.

But as a team we are now on our way forward.

[RussellC]

I'd like to see him pushed in front of Snachez and Delph, as he does move the ball quickly and has a good range of passing. Get that closer to the opposition box feeding Benteke etc and we could see the best of him.

He is being hampered tacked onto a flat central three.

Completely agree with this and am hoping that we see that midfield 3 for the next few games. I like Westwood, but Sanchez is showing all the signs that he can do everything AW can, plus add some physicality. For all of our injury/suspension issues, I don't think we'll be far away from fielding our best 11 (in my opinion) against Swansea.

[silhillvilla]

As I have said previously we need someone to go up front with Benteke. Someone with goals and movement in their locker .Someone like a younger Jermain Defoe.

You just described Callum Robinson.

[tomd2103]

As I have said previously we need someone to go up front with Benteke. Someone with goals and movement in their locker .Someone like a younger Jermain Defoe. Then Cleverley can play just behind them where he could be very effective.

But as a team we are now on our way forward.

Yep and someone who could read the flick ons from Benteke. 

[RussellC]

The ideal player would be Berahino, but we have about as much chance of signing him as we do Messi.

[tomd2103]

What I hope Saturday shows is that we don't need a flat three in midfield to keep the ball or stop the opposition.

Delph and Sanchez played well, while Weimann was given the job of pressing Rooney and moved around considerably more because of this role.

Against sides at home, we should be capable of taking one of those central defenders out and replacing him with an attacking midfielder to play in front of Delph and Sanchez.

Agree.  I personally think that having Westwood and Sanchez in the same side unbalances the midfield. 

[Ron Manager]

As I have said previously we need someone to go up front with Benteke. Someone with goals and movement in their locker .Someone like a younger Jermain Defoe.

You just described Callum Robinson.

Well I like Callum Robinson I think he has, like Grealish, a real chance of progressing his career. But we need someone with a track record
who has done it at the top level of whatever country he comes from. Somebody like Bony for instance is beyond our financial clout but we need someone of that level to form a partnership with Benteke. How about Michu (on loan at Napoli) he did very well first season over here
possibly wouldnt cost too much either.

[brontebilly]

For me it would be Delph, Sanchez and one of Westwood/Cleverly.

If we play three centre backs there isnt a need for two sitting midfielders which is where Westwood and Sanchez are most comfortable. Id like to see Bacuna being given a chance in there instead of Cleverley for a couple of game as he is stronger, offers more of a goal threat and is more mobile than Cleverley. Good to have options though, Richardson before he got sent off was having a decent game against West Brom in Delph's position too.

----Sanchez
Cleverley, Delph

----Westwood
Bacuna, Richardson

[PeterWithesShin]

Daily Mail

Paul Lambert will look to trigger the £7.5million purchase of Tom Cleverley from Manchester United once the January window opens but admits Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner and the player himself must agree first.

Cleverley is on a season-long loan at Villa, who have a first option to buy, but could decide to wait until the summer when he is a free agent and assess his options.

From a club perspective, Lambert said Lerner would need to be satisfied with the finances of paying cash up front to secure his signature.

The England midfielder has impressed at Villa Park and is getting regular games, only missing the clash against his parent club through ineligibility and suspension.

'We’ve got the option to buy in January. I will definitely try. A lot will depend on finances,’ said Lambert.

'We’ve had one or two discussions with (chief executive) Tom Fox and Randy. If something comes up and he thinks it’s right for the club and affordable, I’m pretty sure he will look at it.

'I will have a discussion with Tom. I’ve never really had that with him. He’s still a Manchester United player. I’ve got him for a season anyway.’

Lambert said Cleverley was blossoming by featuring on a consistent basis after losing his place in United’s midfield.

‘Tom's been great around the place. Sometimes loan players are not like that,’ he added. 'I’m pretty sure he loves his football here. I think he’s played really well.

‘He’s only 25, he’s got years ahead of him I’m pretty sure he won’t want to sit around. Knowing Tom Cleverley the way I do now, I’m sure he’s not one of the lads who wants to keep sitting on a bench.'