Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[tomd2103]

If we aspire to be more than just relegation fodder then we will need an upgrade on Westwood . Whilst he's not terrible, he has some significant limitations to his game .

Although I like Ashley Westwood, I would have to agree with that.

Me too.  Although maybe playing with a better class of player under a better manager will raise his game.  He's a bit like Guzan for me, not top of the list of players to replace perhaps, but not good enough if we seriously want to improve.

Good point.  Guzan, Westwood and Hutton are probably all in that category. 

[ozzjim]

Sanchez Veretout and Gueye on paper are the ideal 3. Westwood is good enough to be backup to them. In would like another central midfielder though I admit. That has similar attributes to Gueye.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

[Matt Collins]

Westwood will be our best player against Bournemouth. You heard it here first

[Mister E]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

like Westwood but a lot better at passing.

[Vegas]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

From memory Ray Wilkins was a fairly classy but slow midfielder, played in a deep-ish role and very rarely gave the ball away; his successful pass completion stats (had such a thing been measured in the mid 80s) would have been very high.  Wasn't he known as "the crab" as he only ever moved the ball sideways?
 

[old man villa fan]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

From memory Ray Wilkins was a fairly classy but slow midfielder, played in a deep-ish role and very rarely gave the ball away; his successful pass completion stats (had such a thing been measured in the mid 80s) would have been very high.  Wasn't he known as "the crab" as he only ever moved the ball sideways?
 

Prior to going to Man Utd he was a more attacking player at Chelsea, a bit like the Lampard role.

[passitsideways]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

I reckon a lot of us thought having Lambert and Keane around (two excellent deep midfielders) would do the same, yet it didn't exactly happen. Then again, Wilkins has a far superior reputation to either of them when it comes to coaching.

[Villa in Denmark]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

I reckon a lot of us thought having Lambert and Keane around (two excellent deep midfielders) would do the same, yet it didn't exactly happen. Then again Wilkins has a far superior reputation to either of them when it comes to coaching.

That's the bit that gives most cause for optimism.

I think most people thought Keane was a train crash in waiting.

[Dave]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

I reckon a lot of us thought having Lambert and Keane around (two excellent deep midfielders) would do the same, yet it didn't exactly happen. Then again, Wilkins has a far superior reputation to either of them when it comes to coaching.

Really?  What can Wilkins point to from his coaching career that is comparable with Lambert's achievements with Norwich?

[passitsideways]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

I reckon a lot of us thought having Lambert and Keane around (two excellent deep midfielders) would do the same, yet it didn't exactly happen. Then again, Wilkins has a far superior reputation to either of them when it comes to coaching.

Really?  What can Wilkins point to from his coaching career that is comparable with Lambert's achievements with Norwich?

We're distinguishing coaching (i.e. teaching players on the training ground) from managing (a far broader function). Lambert's achievements at Norwich seemed to come down to a mixture of an attacking style, tactical flexibility, an eye for lower-league talent and the support of a good coaching staff. Wilkins has done little as a manager, but when he got fired, I remember reading a lot about how Chelsea players were fans of what he brought to the table.

[frank black]

I wonder will Ray Wilkins sort out Westwood and make him more like him. Can't remember what Ray Wilkins is like as a player.

From memory Ray Wilkins was a fairly classy but slow midfielder, played in a deep-ish role and very rarely gave the ball away; his successful pass completion stats (had such a thing been measured in the mid 80s) would have been very high.  Wasn't he known as "the crab" as he only ever moved the ball sideways?
 

Prior to going to Man Utd he was a more attacking player at Chelsea, a bit like the Lampard role.

Good for his clubs, known as the "crab" when on international duty.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

I think Westwood is underrated - he does a lot of things well, sometimes very well, that do not catch the eye.

Every team I have played in or coached I have appreciated the players that have the really good habit of not giving the ball away - he is one of those.

For me one thing that suggests he is better than most in last season's squad is that he adapted his game more successfully than most/anyone else when Sherwood came in. Cleverley flattered to deceive in half a dozen games and then went lack to being largely ineffective (though expended lots of energy in the process).

I would suggest one of the new recruits or a more consistent Sanchez is likely to partner Westwood rather than replace him.

[PeterWithe]

Westwood is very handy player to have when we have the ball but something of a liability at times when we dont have it. If Sanchez adapts better to the pace of English football then I think he has the physical attributes to come in and be a better option for the defensive midfield role.

[Diablo]

Westwood will be our best player against Bournemouth. You heard it here first

Sanchez will be our best player against Bournemouth. You heard it hear first ;-) Well maybe not but I do think he will have a great season with us now he's had some time to adapt. Both him and Okore will step up and come into their own. Watch this space :-)