It's not Sherwood!

[brian green]

My hope is that one of Hendrik's primary functions at the club will be to neutralize managerial knee jerk entrances into and exits from the doghouse.   I too think TS got pretty much everything right but was wrong with N'Zogbia and goalkeeping preferences.   I am not sure why he blanked Gil but his omission looked personal.   My take on things over the dire period we have endured of late is the subjectivity of too many player decisions and that our new Sporting Director is a planned move to rectify this.

[Ads]

If the decision on Gil was personal, he wouldn't be giving him the chance now.

[OCD]

Sherwood's comments yesterday about finding it hard to offload players who were on good money and happy to run down their contract fitted N'Zogbia perfectly.

Whereas, there's been numerous reports of Gil being very impressive in training. The circumstances would have been very difficult for him last year but with a clean slate for everyone, he's likely to figure in our plans.

[Steve R]

Donacien, Grealish and Robinson wouldn't be in a squad of 25 would they? Anybody under the age of 21 can be supplemented to the main squad.

I didn't check what age Donacien and Robinson were, I just assumed they were over the limit - they seem to have been around for ages, just like Gardner. Donacien was 21 last November but I think the rule is 21 and under at season start. I didn't even stop to consider Grealish's age.

In fact, if the rule is 21 and under then Amavi (should we sign sign him) would also be omitted I think.

Looking it up, the rule is under 21 on 1st Jan of the year in which the season starts. So any player born after 1st Jan 1994 is considered under age. Donacien would count as over age, Amavi under age.

Re Nzogbia, I got the impression he was in the team because there wasn't anyone else once Sherwood had drawn his line in the sand with Gil. I would hope that Sherwood has no intention of going into the new season relying on him in any way.

[Nelson Lodge]

Sherwood's 7 (nod to Mr Blake. One for the oldies!)

Would not be surprised to see Gardner included. Then:-
Tonev. A Stan Petrov recommendation wasn't he? Does Stan have any influence to keep him here?
Senderos
Cissokho
N'Zogbia
One of Bennett or Richardson
Cole? One year left, worth keeping for influence on youngsters?
Herd only here because of injury. Will go when recovered.

Could be a surprise inclusion, eg, Sinclair, who fell out of favour at the end of season

[Matt Collins]

It's just sinking in that the entire spine of a not very good team has been removed. That's very different from the Southampton example last year

He's got a hell of a job on now. Needs to be given a little time to get new players to gel

The current squad would do very well to avoid relegation though. It's not going to score goals and we know we don't keep clean sheets

[Steve kirk]

Very interested to hear Tims thoughts on Delph, will he he just bat it away or be his usual diplomatic self, go on say it like it is.

[LeeB]

He might be inexperienced, and it carries the risk of the unknown, but from what I've seen so far in his approach to playing football, I'm happier Sherwood has a wedge to refashion the squad with than pretty much any manager since Big Ron.

[MattW]

Sherwood's 7 (nod to Mr Blake. One for the oldies!)

Would not be surprised to see Gardner included. Then:-
Tonev. A Stan Petrov recommendation wasn't he? Does Stan have any influence to keep him here?
Senderos
Cissokho
N'Zogbia
One of Bennett or Richardson
Cole? One year left, worth keeping for influence on youngsters?
Herd only here because of injury. Will go when recovered.

Could be a surprise inclusion, eg, Sinclair, who fell out of favour at the end of season

Read in Australian press that Herd rejected a short term contract from Villa.

[john e]

Amavi, Gueye
 so much for Sherwood only being interested in homegrown British stock

[Monty]

Amavi, Gueye
 so much for Sherwood only being interested in homegrown British stock

Very much so. The signings may or may not work out individually, but the strategy is clear and pretty logical. I've enjoyed looking more and more stupid about Sherwood as his reign has gone on, so long may it continue.

[Toronto Villa]

Amavi, Gueye
 so much for Sherwood only being interested in homegrown British stock

Very much so. The signings may or may not work out individually, but the strategy is clear and pretty logical. I've enjoyed looking more and more stupid about Sherwood as his reign has gone on, so long may it continue.

and the only English player he's brought in is a 26yr old former England international who has his best years in front of him, when most journos had him lined to bring in any number of dead and dying Spurs and ex-Spurs. The links and supposed bids are for talented players that we've not only heard of but are up and coming players across Europe. Landing a few more like these two will help us forget about the likes of Delph and Benteke a little quicker. Benteke is great but there are other excellent footballers out there around the world that need to be discovered.

Oh and throw in bringing back Gil and we might be rather decent to watch next season.

[Monty]

The comments about Gil were great to read. Easy to understand, clear reasoning, not blind to his ability at all but willing not to play good players who don't fit into a larger vision. That's actually really encouraging.

[KRS]

Has TS commented on Delph leaving yet? It may speak volumes if he doesn't even comment on it.

[Matt Collins]

Really intrigued how he sees us lining up. We've played 4411 in both friendlies. I think that's Gil or grealish in the ten role. Maybe bacuna and Sinclair wide. Not many goals in that team unless you've a prolific forward.