It's not Sherwood!

[garyshawsknee]

We've always had the trouble of looking over run in midfield when we play 4 4 2, even going back to the last days of M'ON. I'd go 4 3 3, with Gil and Sinclair wide. Midfield is causing such a headache, i'd even be tempted to recall Cleverley. I know Sherwood likes 4 4 2, but we need to stop the rot and make sure we don't lose first of all.

[paul_e]

433 for me

Guzan
Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho
Bacuna, Sanchez/Westwood*, Delph
Gil, Benteke, Sinclair

The central one of the midfielders would depend who we're playing, if we're looking to dominate the ball then Westwood (so at home generally) if we're expecting to need more cover then Sanchez.

[ozzjim]

Westwood Cleverley and Delph looked like a decent unit when Sherwood gave them licence to attack against Leicester. I was surprised he didn't stick to that against Stoke.

[paul_e]

Westwood Cleverley and Delph looked like a decent unit when Sherwood gave them licence to attack against Leicester. I was surprised he didn't stick to that against Stoke.

but Bacuna was the one in that midfield that had a genuine impact.

[Hairbandinho]

The midfield is being badly let down by Delph, and people wonder why Sanchez is knackered and always being dispossessed, it is because he is doing all of Delph's work while Delph just chases shadows and does a great impression of Steve Sidwell.

[brontebilly]

Westwood Cleverley and Delph looked like a decent unit when Sherwood gave them licence to attack against Leicester. I was surprised he didn't stick to that against Stoke.

Based on their form this season, I don't think the twins can have any complaints with being out of the side. Delph hasn't got going for us either but does offer more than them.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

We do have Sanchez and Westwood who are pretty good at distributing from deep, but both are too slow in doing it. It's not even just a pace issue either. Barry was very good at getting the ball and releasing it early. Normally to Young who'd be sprinting down the wing. Sometimes it seems to take Sanchez and Westwood an eternity to release the ball, by which time any forward options are gone so they inevitably have to try something more hopeful, or just go sideways.

Let's assume that's true, it's a far more achieveable target for Sherwood to improve than reverting back to hoofball in the hope it might finally pay off. Get the midfield working correctly and we'll finally start creating chances. Who knows, we may even start converting a few.

[peter w]

Westwood Cleverley and Delph looked like a decent unit when Sherwood gave them licence to attack against Leicester. I was surprised he didn't stick to that against Stoke.

but Bacuna was the one in that midfield that had a genuine impact.

But that's the exsception not the norm. I'd like to see a 4 of Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, and Gil.

[paul_e]

Westwood Cleverley and Delph looked like a decent unit when Sherwood gave them licence to attack against Leicester. I was surprised he didn't stick to that against Stoke.

but Bacuna was the one in that midfield that had a genuine impact.

But that's the exsception not the norm. I'd like to see a 4 of Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, and Gil.

Not sure about that, he's only played a handful of games in midfield and has done ok, he was also the 2nd top scorer last season so he'd add goals which the rest don't offer (except possibly Gil who I'd playing higher up the pitch to try to move defenders out of position).

[ozzjim]

Bacuna would be in my side somewhere.

[citizenDJ]

I think 4-3-3 is the way I'd go, too. I'd have Sanchez in the team but in the role of 'Anchorman' (excuse the Football Manager parlance!), then Cleverley/Bacuna and Delph ahead of him.

                   Guzan

Hutton   Okore   Clark   Cisshoko

                Sanchez
           Bacuna   Delph

Gil                                Sinclair

                Benteke

The problem is that while I think that is just about the best team we have, obviously some of those players are really out of form. I suppose we have to hope that Sherwood can somehow 'get in their heads' and lift them; as an upcoming, modern coach, I hope he has brought along a top notch psychologist with him!

[tomd2103]

The Evening Mail has published five "burning questions" that Sherwood "has to answer".  The five questions are:

1. Is there an alternative to Christian Benteke?

2. Do Villa need a big man up front?

3. Carlos Sanchez, Ashley Westwood or Tom Cleverley?

4. Who are Villa's best centre-half pairing?

5. Defensive or attacking full-backs?

[tomd2103]

Bacuna would be in my side somewhere.

I'd have him wide, as he's got decent delivery and will do his defensive duties as well. 

[Ads]

Bacuna scored five goals from full back last season. I would play him, one of Cleverley and Westwood, together with one of the bang out of form Sanchez or Delph in midfield. If you have Gil central, then there is a link to Benteke and a midfield behind that has a little more variety to it.

[SheffieldVillain]

The Evening Mail has published five "burning questions" that Sherwood "has to answer".  The five questions are:

1. Is there an alternative to Christian Benteke?

2. Do Villa need a big man up front?

3. Carlos Sanchez, Ashley Westwood or Tom Cleverley?

4. Who are Villa's best centre-half pairing?

5. Defensive or attacking full-backs?

1. No.
2. Yes, because there's no alternative to Benteke and he's a big man.
3. Depends on the game. At the moment Westwood, with Sanchez 2nd and Cleverley 10th.
4. On form, and hopefully for the future, Clark and Okore.
5. Our full backs are Hutton and Cissokho - they can't cross so stick to what they are good at. Put Bacuna and Sinclair wide and let them provide the width.