Isa Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 He does more than just retain possession though and despite being played too deep he still has the best key pass stat of all our midfield or at least he did last time I checked. He had close to 2 key passes per game last season. He has been played too deep for the majority of his time here and would influence games a lot more if he had the luxury Sanchez playing behind him doing the dirty work. He is not a defensive midfielder. Except that he is a defensive-midfielder. He bases his game on Michael Carrick - a defensive-midfielder - and in Westwood's own words:My job is to try and protect the back more, and if the lads behind you talk and tell you what you are doing it makes it ten times easier. https://betting.betfair.com/football/premier-league/the-betfair-big-interview---aston-villas-ashley-westwood-191013-201.html It's true that he isn't played primarily for his defensive duties but to play the controlling role, you play deep anyway. With that comes defensive responsibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnski Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Well to my eye he is never a defensive midfielder, my definition of a defensive midfielder is more someone in the mould of Sanchez. I'd class westwoods role for us as a deep lying playmaker. I can see why sherwood mightnt fancy him in his starting line up as he isn't the most mobile or energetic but I think he deserves more of a chance in a more advanced role imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Devastated by this............. Not. Simply not good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 He does more than just retain possession though and despite being played too deep he still has the best key pass stat of all our midfield or at least he did last time I checked. He had close to 2 key passes per game last season. He has been played too deep for the majority of his time here and would influence games a lot more if he had the luxury Sanchez playing behind him doing the dirty work. He is not a defensive midfielder. Except that he is a defensive-midfielder. He bases his game on Michael Carrick - a defensive-midfielder - and in Westwood's own words: My job is to try and protect the back more, and if the lads behind you talk and tell you what you are doing it makes it ten times easier. https://betting.betfair.com/football/premier-league/the-betfair-big-interview---aston-villas-ashley-westwood-191013-201.html It's true that he isn't played primarily for his defensive duties but to play the controlling role, you play deep anyway. With that comes defensive responsibilities. Flippin hell. His own words - protect the back 4?? He's done a pretty piss poor job of that for the best part of 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted April 16, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) He does more than just retain possession though and despite being played too deep he still has the best key pass stat of all our midfield or at least he did last time I checked. He had close to 2 key passes per game last season. He has been played too deep for the majority of his time here and would influence games a lot more if he had the luxury Sanchez playing behind him doing the dirty work. He is not a defensive midfielder. Except that he is a defensive-midfielder. He bases his game on Michael Carrick - a defensive-midfielder - and in Westwood's own words: My job is to try and protect the back more, and if the lads behind you talk and tell you what you are doing it makes it ten times easier. https://betting.betfair.com/football/premier-league/the-betfair-big-interview---aston-villas-ashley-westwood-191013-201.html It's true that he isn't played primarily for his defensive duties but to play the controlling role, you play deep anyway. With that comes defensive responsibilities. Flippin hell. His own words - protect the back 4?? He's done a pretty piss poor job of that for the best part of 3 years. Not sure it makes much of a difference, but that's not actually what he said. Edited April 16, 2015 by Stevo985 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 No your right there tbf, tho what he actually said doesn't make much sense. Either way, he hasn't protected a thing, consistently, since he arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted April 16, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) Worth mentioning that that article is also 18 months old. His job may have changed since then. I certainly think he became less defensive when playing with Sanchez. Even those who rate him like myself have always recognised that he's not a proper DM. He's a deep lying player, but he's not good enough at that role to be the sole DM in the team. Ideally he'd play alongside a proper DM and an attacking midfielder, being the link between the two. Unfortunately for him, Delph and Cleverley perform similar roles when we play that formation, and to make that point moot, Sherwood appears to favour the 4-4-2 which Westwood certainly isn't suited to, imo. I think selling him wouldn't be the right move. A relatively cheap player who can contribute to the squad even if they're not starting is worth having, especially if we don't hold on to Cleverley. Even more reason is that Westwood is a much more subtle player than Delph or Sanchez so it would be a bit of a plan B from the bench. But I certainly think he won't be a certain starter in the future. But, again, even those who rate him, and even Lambert, didn't have him as a certain starter.* *that being said, he'd have done a much better job than Sanchez in several of his recent appearances. Edited April 16, 2015 by Stevo985 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkyvilla Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I just like the fact he is a calm head, and has the ability to control and keep the ball in tight situations when almost all of the other players go into clown mode. I think he's been a steal at the price we paid for him considering he basically had no reputation before coming here. He's not an all-action player but I don't think it can be held against him. I think a side like Swansea would be very keen on him if Sherwood wanted to get rid. I'm not entirely sure why Sherwood wouldn't want him in the squad, mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVTuco Posted April 16, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 16, 2015 I don't think Westwood is anything special, but he is reliable and versatile. If we can get 6 mill for him, then yes, sell him. Otherwise I'd hang onto him and rather get rid of Sanchez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonoridge91 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I know it is probably not a popular opinion but I feel sorry for the guy. He is becoming a bit of a scapegoat on the back of Lambert's style because he was regularly picked. I really don't think selling him is the best plan unless as someone said above 5million+ as he would be a great utility player to come in to replace injuries. Granted he shouldn't be near corners but he can certainly do a decent job and I've never seen him cost us games. I mean I think Sanchez does a good job but he doesn't half lose the ball in some shocking positions and Westwood has never had a game like Richardson against QPR lol. We'll see what happens but I do think he has a part to play in the war to come. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risso Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I just like the fact he is a calm head, and has the ability to control and keep the ball in tight situations when almost all of the other players go into clown mode. I think he's been a steal at the price we paid for him considering he basically had no reputation before coming here. He's not an all-action player but I don't think it can be held against him. I think a side like Swansea would be very keen on him if Sherwood wanted to get rid. I'm not entirely sure why Sherwood wouldn't want him in the squad, mind. If they were very keen on him, they could bid even if Sherwood didn't want to get rid, same as they could have done when Lambert was in charge. In any case I think he'd have the same problem there with better players ahead of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 If we get £6 million for Westwood we've done very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romavillan Posted April 16, 2015 VT Supporter Share Posted April 16, 2015 If we get £6 million for Westwood we've done very well. Exactly, love or hate him, we got him for £2m and we will turn a profit on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troon_villan Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Ok as a squad player but he's played a lot of games in the premier so he wouldn't be content with that imo. Can hopefully turn a profit. Shame though, had a good feeling about him but he hasn't progressed much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bobzy Posted April 16, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) I think he has progressed. He's easily the most consistent of our midfielders. I can't think of a time where Westwood has done something terrible which has directly put us under pressure. I sure he has done this, but I just can't remember it. Delph and Sanchez do it pretty much every single game. He's not all-action enough for Sherwood or a lot of football fans, and that's why he's underrated. 3 goals and 9 assists for Villa in the Premier League in 87 appearances (apparently) but not creative enough... despite playing as a deeper player that keeps the ball ticking over. Delph, by comparison, has 3 goals and 4 assists in 107. Delph is an England international who gets loved over by us lot, whilst Westwood is someone most are happy to see the back of. Shrug. Edited April 16, 2015 by bobzy 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 That's why just going on just stats is pretty pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regular_john Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I wouldn't be too happy to see Westwood go, I think he's been a really good player for us and probably the most consistently good member of the squad, apart from Guzan, over the last three years. He's got a great eye for a pass and I think that with a bit more movement ahead of him he could really make chances for us. He might be another one that benefits from Sherwood's more forward thinking approach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avfc1982 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I wouldn't be too happy to see Westwood go, I think he's been a really good player for us and probably the most consistently good member of the squad, apart from Guzan, over the last three years. He's got a great eye for a pass and I think that with a bit more movement ahead of him he could really make chances for us. He might be another one that benefits from Sherwood's more forward thinking approach You must have watched a different player to what I have over these last couple of seasons or so. Thankfully Sherwood seems to have seen the light when it comes to Westwood. Not good enough. Get rid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillanousOne Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 I didn't really see the point in Westwood a few seasons back, but he has been improving every year and their is a safe consistent aspect to him. He is still young and i'd like to see him in a more settled side that wasn't constantly staving off relegation. i wouldn't sell him yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 5m plus????? Daylight robbery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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