It's not Sherwood!

[PaulWinch again]

He needs to stop making changes for the sake of it. Dropping Okore and Lowton for Vlaar and Richardson was a big mistake last night and I'm certain it cost us the game. If a player is playing well don't drop them for another player especially if that player isn't fully fit.

We really missed Okores pace at the back. There were a couple of times Vlaar got beaten to the ball by Zamora. I felt Zamora won the battle overall again.

I'm guessing Okore was rested because of that knock he had and it was decided 2 games in 4 days were too much.

I hope that's the case, because we need him back against Spurs. Although you'd think it would make sense to play our best defenders in our most winnable game and rest them at Old Trafford instead.

[PeterWithesShin]

I suppose the flip side is you need your best players to get a result at OT, and less against someone shit like QPR at home. Obviously it didn't work out but there is logic in that, especially as Timmeh isn't someone I can see writing off any game.

[Dave]

My guess is that it's more straightforward and that he just sees Vlaar and Clark as our two best central defenders and is therefore going to play those two when they are available.

[Risso]

So not going down the Gregory/MON route of predictable milk bottle players.

Personally I think that's exactly what we'll be doing.

Like I say, it could be completely unfounded. But it's what I'm expecting - I'll stick my neck out now and say that at least 50% of our signings this summer will come from either Spurs or from the three relegated sides.

A lot depends on Lerner I guess. And there aren't many Spurs players who wouldn't walk into our first team.  And I'm not sure we can sign players from ourselves!

[PaulWinch again]

My guess is that it's more straightforward and that he just sees Vlaar and Clark as our two best central defenders and is therefore going to play those two when they are available.

Yes that's my fear, because I think he's wrong. Our best defensive partnership is Okore and Clark.

[villa for life]

Sherwood has to be brave enough to play Clark and Okore. During this season, we have asked them to step up for the Villa and they've done exactly that.

Now is the time to keep the faith rather than just "hoping" that Vlaar puts in a performance.

Reputation aside, Vlaar has simply not been anywhere close to Okore or Clark this season. Unfortunately, Sherwood may know more about Vlaar of the World Cup than the Villa Vlaar

[Toronto Villa]

I don't see any issue with him playing Vlaar last night. If the captain of your football club, and one of the best defenders you have at your disposal declares that he is fit to play then he plays. That it might not have worked out as well as hoped could have applied to Okore last night if he'd played. Okore is a young kid playing his first full season and is actually coming back from yet another knock having been away with his country. It wasn't just because of Vlaar we conceded three times. There were plenty of decisions across the positions that allowed their players to find space to score.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sherwood said pre-match that Vlaar wasn't fit and for the first 15 or so minutes it certainly seemed that way. After he grew into the game and did okay by his standards. Sherwood also mentioned about using players that although not fit when asked said they'd give it their best. I can only think he was talking about Richardson. Whilst I admire Richardson's spirit and determination, there was no way he should have been on the pitch last night, he looked knackered and when he'd get himself in advanced positions he could only jog back. His fitness was no where near high enough for such an important game.

[peter w]

If Vlaar is fit then he should be playing. Okore is still developing and for that reason I'd like to see Vlaar playing. For the rest of the season I think 3 centre-halves isn't a bad call but doubt Sherwood would go there.

[Rudy65]

So not going down the Gregory/MON route of predictable milk bottle players.

Personally I think that's exactly what we'll be doing.

Like I say, it could be completely unfounded. But it's what I'm expecting - I'll stick my neck out now and say that at least 50% of our signings this summer will come from either Spurs or from the three relegated sides.

Nothing wrong with that as long as they improve us. A Charlie Austin, Danny Inngs, Matt Philips, Stephen Caulkner would do fine.

[OCD]

I don't see any issue with him playing Vlaar last night. If the captain of your football club, and one of the best defenders you have at your disposal declares that he is fit to play then he plays. That it might not have worked out as well as hoped could have applied to Okore last night if he'd played. Okore is a young kid playing his first full season and is actually coming back from yet another knock having been away with his country. It wasn't just because of Vlaar we conceded three times. There were plenty of decisions across the positions that allowed their players to find space to score.

Vlaar may have started but Delph still wore the captain's armband so I'm not sure he's still considered club captain.

I think he put Vlaar in because of the importance of the occasion and with Vlaar being more experienced. However, it's not a good move to chop and change with the defence.

[PeterWithesShin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32201113

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Sherwood has to be brave enough to play Clark and Okore. During this season, we have asked them to step up for the Villa and they've done exactly that.

Now is the time to keep the faith rather than just "hoping" that Vlaar puts in a performance.

Reputation aside, Vlaar has simply not been anywhere close to Okore or Clark this season. Unfortunately, Sherwood may know more about Vlaar of the World Cup than the Villa Vlaar

must be nice to have a short memory

Vlaar and Senderos were pretty impressive as a partnership earlier on in the season, probably our best central defensive partnership for a while

[PeterWithesShin]

Sherwood has to be brave enough to play Clark and Okore. During this season, we have asked them to step up for the Villa and they've done exactly that.

Now is the time to keep the faith rather than just "hoping" that Vlaar puts in a performance.

Reputation aside, Vlaar has simply not been anywhere close to Okore or Clark this season. Unfortunately, Sherwood may know more about Vlaar of the World Cup than the Villa Vlaar

must be nice to have a short memory

Vlaar and Senderos were pretty impressive as a partnership earlier on in the season, probably our best central defensive partnership for a while

They only played together 3 times though, too short a sample size to know if they'd have continued to look good.

[PaulWinch again]

One thing I will say is that Richardson is not as bad as he played the other night, so he can't have been fit. Those booing him were just daft.