Tom Cleverley loan watch

[Damo70]

Not long ago we were saying how desperately we need to strengthen midfield in the summer. All of a sudden Delph, TC, Westwood, Grealish, GG, Gil and Sanchez are looking like a tidy little firm, especially if the latter two can lively up themselves a bit.

In fairness to Gil he has hardly had opportunity. Strangely I think him and Grealish in those 10 roles behind Benteke would cause sides a whole world of problems.

My thoughts too, Oz. The lad has so much class it's only a matter of time before gets his chance. I can't believe Sherwood can't see it, maybe having both Grealish and Gil in the team may seem too lightweight for the end of season fight we have right now.

As for Cleverly, he seems to be loving it all at Villa. I'd imagine he's desperate to stay.

He has improved a lot under Sherwood and his celebrations after the quarter and semi finals show his heart is in it.

[ozzjim]

Always appreciated his work rate but with movement in front of him from the strikers which he wasn't getting pre-Sherwood he's been very good.  Him and Delph have to start for me, with Westwood and Sanchez competing for the other midfield role.

Yep.  I still think a top quality defensive midfielder with a better range of passing than Sanchez and Westwood would make a difference, but those type of players cost a lot of money.     

I think we got a bit lucky with Westwood coming in for Sanchez. Against a Stoke, or Albion even, Sanchez would be the better option, but against Liverpool it is much more suited to Westwood.

With Cleverley, Delph and one of those 2 behind though, there should be enough cover for Gil to thrive. NZogbia is now a real option which is good, but Gil looks more likely to create something.

[Ryu]

Always appreciated his work rate but with movement in front of him from the strikers which he wasn't getting pre-Sherwood he's been very good.  Him and Delph have to start for me, with Westwood and Sanchez competing for the other midfield role.

Yep.  I still think a top quality defensive midfielder with a better range of passing than Sanchez and Westwood would make a difference, but those type of players cost a lot of money.     

I think we got a bit lucky with Westwood coming in for Sanchez. Against a Stoke, or Albion even, Sanchez would be the better option, but against Liverpool it is much more suited to Westwood.

With Cleverley, Delph and one of those 2 behind though, there should be enough cover for Gil to thrive. NZogbia is now a real option which is good, but Gil looks more likely to create something.

I see what your'e saying but I think this role can be done by a good player without having to have physical presence Like Sanchez does.  The thing is it comes from experience.  Barry did it brilliantly without being the type to make big tackles but he was probably well into his twenties by the time he mastered it.

[PeterWithesShin]

We continue our new feature as we explore the lives of our first team players. Next up, we hear the choices of midfield ace Tom Cleverley.

1] I like odd numbers - even though I play as No.8 here at Villa.

When I was at Man Utd, I was No.35 but then switched to No.23.

The manager offered me 22 or 23. I prefer wearing odd numbers so I chose No.23.

Also, I must admit, David Beckham was my idol growing up and he wore No.23 at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy so that swayed my decision.

I'm obviously No.8 at Villa. But going on to the pitch on matchday, I like to be third, fifth, seventh or eleventh in line - that evens it out!

**********

2] Fabian Delph is on the road to football stardom - but I used to have to give him a lift to training as a kid.

As a player now, Fabian is a fantastic athlete. He's good on the ball. He's got everything it takes in his game to be a top, top midfielder.

What impresses me more than all that skill and quality is his attitude. He is a top, top pro. He works tremendously hard.

He's always first in the door - and the last to leave.

It doesn't shock me in the slightest to see someone with his mentality getting the rewards. It's no surprise.

It's a life lesson really - about working hard and striving to be the best you can be.

He can definitely inspire the young lads coming through.

The crazy thing is that I remember him really well when he was himself a young kid.

We both played at Bradford City - his mom didn't drive so we used to car share. He used to get in with us.

We're both Bradford lads so it's been a long journey - through the U21s to playing together again now at Villa.

He was pretty much the same kind of player back then.

But he had big dreadlocks when he was a kid! I'll try and get hold of a picture to prove it!

3] Stiliyan Petrov was one of the very best Villa players I played against - and it's great to be working with him now at Bodymoor Heath.

I remember the one game when I was at Wigan Athletic and Stan was in the heart of midfield for Villa.

It finished 1-1 and ironically Charles N'Zogbia scored the Latics goal on the day. Ashley Young scored for Villa with a free-kick.

I was actually technically playing on the left side of midfield that day and came up against Kyle Walker.

But you didn't have to be a genius to see that Stan could really play.

Stan was a very clever player, great technique and led the team very well as a skipper.

My best mate growing up was a Celtic fan and he always raved about Stan Petrov.

You can see his desire at the club now - his love of Villa shines through when he's at the training ground. It's great to have him around.

He's a top guy, which everyone told me before I met him properly.

But seeing it first hand, you realise he's a real genuine person, brilliant and it's a real morale booster to have him around the place.

4] I love rugby league and I'm a fan of Bradford Bulls.

Growing up in Bradford, it's a big rugby town. They have struggled a bit recently but I'm still a big supporter - and a huge fan of the sport in general.

I watch most sports but I take a big interest in rugby league.

I haven't been to see them for ages. I went to a couple of Grand Finals at Old Trafford a few years back now.

Leeds Rhinos won the first but Bradford Bulls got their revenge the following year.

There are a couple of Man Utd players who like Leeds Rhinos for some strange reason. I am not sure why. Wayne Rooney is one of them!

He's from Merseyside so I'm not sure how that has come about!

**********

5] My best subject at school was maths.

I was really good at school to be fair until the last couple of years when I really started concentrating and focusing on my football.

The sport took over. It has to really. You have to take it seriously.

Where I was, you're in school until you're 16. You still do college at 16 and 17 but through year 10 and 11 the school lets you out for one and a half days to train. I only did three and a half days at school at that point.

You don't put all your eggs in one basket - and that's the right thing to do because if you don't make it, you need qualifications to fall back on.

But they do let you concentrate on football quite a bit.

I know most kids hate maths when they are at school but I really enjoyed it.

My dad worked in banking so I think his love of numbers made it through to me.

I like playing darts - so it's proved invaluable!

[Toronto Villa]

Works his bollocks off and now adding goals. We have to keep this kid!!

[Risso]

He's adding a million quid to his value every game.

[OCD]

I was one of his biggest critics but he's shown since Sherwood took over that he's definitely one to sign up in the summer. Sinclair probably hasn't done enough yet for his loan to be converted.

[old man villa fan]

Since Sherwood came in Cleverley has improved every game.  The type of football Sherwood wants to play suits Cleverley and he is clearly enjoying it.

His confidence that was drained out of him with Lambert's tactics, is flowing back and as a result, he is adding so much more to the right side of midfield.  The effort he is putting into every game is tremendous and I hope he does want to stay.

[garyshawsknee]

The slow ponderous play under PL didn't help him at all. Now he gets stuck in, plays quick passes, and gets forward, TS deserves a lot of credit. Really hope we can get a deal sorted out in the summer, something i would never have said 3 months ago.

[Toronto Villa]

I was one of his biggest critics but he's shown since Sherwood took over that he's definitely one to sign up in the summer. Sinclair probably hasn't done enough yet for his loan to be converted.

Really? His goal vs Albion was 3 in 5 I believe and given his misses he should have more for the club by now. He gets into great positions and is brilliant to have as an option. And at £3m I'd be all over securing that deal for still a very young player.

[OCD]

I was one of his biggest critics but he's shown since Sherwood took over that he's definitely one to sign up in the summer. Sinclair probably hasn't done enough yet for his loan to be converted.

Really? His goal vs Albion was 3 in 5 I believe and given his misses he should have more for the club by now. He gets into great positions and is brilliant to have as an option. And at £3m I'd be all over securing that deal for still a very young player.

He's not getting into the team even with Gabby out. TS is preferring Grealish (deservedly) and N'Zog. Maybe he'll come into the side, contribute and earn the deal but right now I think he has more work to do.

[passitsideways]

I think him not getting in since returning from injury is more of a system thing though. He plays better on the left where he can cut inside, and as you said, Grealish is undroppable at the moment playing there, linking up with Delph and Benteke. N'Zogbia is less convincing on the other side but I guess Sherwood likes him cutting in as well, especially since that frees up space for Bacuna to attack as well.

The wages are what I'm concerned about - the 3 million fee is perfectly fine for these days.

[Toronto Villa]

I was one of his biggest critics but he's shown since Sherwood took over that he's definitely one to sign up in the summer. Sinclair probably hasn't done enough yet for his loan to be converted.

Really? His goal vs Albion was 3 in 5 I believe and given his misses he should have more for the club by now. He gets into great positions and is brilliant to have as an option. And at £3m I'd be all over securing that deal for still a very young player.

He's not getting into the team even with Gabby out. TS is preferring Grealish (deservedly) and N'Zog. Maybe he'll come into the side, contribute and earn the deal but right now I think he has more work to do.

Bear in mind though he has been injured and then was available for the Man City game that he couldn't play in. And then today Sherwood kept faith in Zog.

[OCD]

All I'm saying is I think he has more work to do. I don't think there's anything controversial about that.

[Toronto Villa]

All I'm saying is I think he has more work to do. I don't think there's anything controversial about that.

There's nothing at all controversial in that and you are entirely entitled to your opinion. I don't agree. We can still be friends - right?