Ashley Westwood

[Folski]

Imagine being Westwood you get the ball play it to someone they give it back to someone who gives it to Guzan who kicks it long a loses it. He can be a real asset under Tim I believe.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Folski

[ismail-villa]

I wouldn't want him to leave. If given a run in this side I think he could do better and create more chances.

[Bunnski]

This has been a bad season for him just like the majority of our players apart from the back 4, add to this he has had a couple of injuries which hasn't helped. His previous 2 seasons he was a really important player for us and he contributed with goals and assists.  No doubt the change in tactics from Lambert made him look worse as it basically left him with feck all options for passes apart from keeping it simple.  He has just turned 25 and can get back to being an important player for us with our more attacking style nowadays, I just hope Sherwood at least gives him a proper chance.  

[Stevo985]

 Thankfully Sherwood seems to have seen the light when it comes to Westwood.

 

Based on him playing him in nearly every game he's been fit for?

 

Or the made up story in the mirror?

[Isa]

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.

I certainly agree that he shouldn't play in a role that involves major defensive responsibility but that is exactly how he has always been played - at the base of the midfield-three. And seemimgly that is how he views himself by moulding himself on Michael Carrick.

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.

I completely disagree. Have you seen the quality of midfielders they currently boast? Importantly they don't play 'tiki-taka' under Monk anymore either, so a specialist possession player isn't required. Besides, they already have their own Westwood in Leon Britton. Who gets little action now presumably due to the aforementioned point.

[Zatman]

Imagine being Westwood you get the ball play it to someone they give it back to someone who gives it to Guzan who kicks it long a loses it. He can be a real asset under Tim I believe.

 

isnt that the problem though, surely he should be passing forward more to Benteke or Weimann instead of Vlaar and Cissokho

[Isa]

Also regarding the assist thing, nearly all of Westwood's assists have come from set-pieces if I'm not mistaken.

[Zatman]

He had a few from play like vs Norwich few seasons back.

 

Westwood is a good player but he is replaceable and while I dont think we should just sell him I dont think he is good enough to be certain starter every week. In an age of really average England centre midfielders(livermore, mason, colback) getting called up he hasnt got near the England squad

[Woody1000]

He had a few from play like vs Norwich few seasons back.

Westwood is a good player but he is replaceable and while I dont think we should just sell him I dont think he is good enough to be certain starter every week. In an age of really average England centre midfielders(livermore, mason, colback) getting called up he hasnt got near the England squad

Excellent post.

That's pretty much how I feel as well tbh.

[Woodytom]

Before people jump on me for this, I do realise that players can play well in an awful team.

 

We have had players who have been important to us despite our pathetic run over the last few years. That said, these players' contributions are undeniable. For example, Benteke's goals in his first season undeniably kept us up. We were undeniably better defensively when Vlaar was in the team (whether we are now is debatable of course).

 

Now, I have never been a fan of Westwood, but he has contributed on occasions with goals/assists. However, this contribution is so minor over a period of years that it's hardly worth mentioning imo. He hasn't been important/vital to us at any point during his time here. We have never missed him when not in the team imo, in fact I barely notice him whether his in the team or not.

 

People will say his contributions are those that go unnoticed. Well again, I disagree. Yes he is that type of player that can slip under the radar but the results have never been consistently positive enough for us to go searching for some hidden formula that exists within the side.

 

Overall, given where he's come from, he has done ok. However, I believe that is a lot more to do with the fact he's been involved with arguably one of the worst teams in premiership history and certainly one of the worst midfield's in premiership history.

 

Would not notice if he left or stayed.

[DCJonah]

I can't imagine a future where I'd think wow we really missed Westwood today.

[KHV]

I can't imagine a future where I'd think wow we really missed Westwood today.

Me too, however for what we paid for him and what league he was in before  he arrived plus the fact he was playing under one of the worst mangers we have had in living memory I think he can be classed as a succesful signing. I don't think he is quality by any means but it would be wrong to be too critical of him, he has done a decent enough job since he arrived. I wouldn't miss him much if he was to leave if I'm honest as I think we are better without him in the team and I expect Gary Gardner to finally step up next year and take Westwood's place in the squad.

[Stevo985]

I don't think anyone is trying to claim he is vital.

 

Just that it would be silly to actively try and sell a perfectly good squad member.

[sexbelowsound]

The only reason I can see for selling Westwood is if he doesn't fit into any of the midfield roles that Sherwood intends to play. I don't think he plays the role that Delph or Sanchez do particularly well but I think he could play the role that Cleverley does in Sherwood's diamond formation given the chance. With Cleverley's future up in the air we definitely need Westwood around next season.

[Stevo985]

If we can't hold on to Cleverley then selling Westwood would make even less sense.

 

if we do sign Cleverley, then I could see it, especially if other reinforcements are made.

[sexbelowsound]

If we can't hold on to Cleverley then selling Westwood would make even less sense.

 

if we do sign Cleverley, then I could see it, especially if other reinforcements are made.

 

Exactly.

[poitier]

I have a lot of respect for Westwood. Given his lack of experience and coming into the sort of dysfunctional team we have had, battling relegation 3 years in a row, many players would have wilted and been excused for it under the circumstances.

 

Westwood has shown grit and improved as a player in that time, and although he is never going to set the world alight, he will be a player of premier league standard if he isnt already.

 

I don't see the point in getting rid, he hasn't reached his potential yet and I don't doubt that he will fulfil his potential in the future.

[VillanousOne]

Before people jump on me for this, I do realise that players can play well in an awful team.

 

We have had players who have been important to us despite our pathetic run over the last few years. That said, these players' contributions are undeniable. For example, Benteke's goals in his first season undeniably kept us up. We were undeniably better defensively when Vlaar was in the team (whether we are now is debatable of course).

 

Now, I have never been a fan of Westwood, but he has contributed on occasions with goals/assists. However, this contribution is so minor over a period of years that it's hardly worth mentioning imo. He hasn't been important/vital to us at any point during his time here. We have never missed him when not in the team imo, in fact I barely notice him whether his in the team or not.

 

People will say his contributions are those that go unnoticed. Well again, I disagree. Yes he is that type of player that can slip under the radar but the results have never been consistently positive enough for us to go searching for some hidden formula that exists within the side.

 

Overall, given where he's come from, he has done ok. However, I believe that is a lot more to do with the fact he's been involved with arguably one of the worst teams in premiership history and certainly one of the worst midfield's in premiership history.

 

Would not notice if he left or stayed.

I love Delph, but how many games has he played for us where he has contributed precisely tit all other than a dangerous misplaced pass that has almost or has led to a goal.

 

i'm sure other stats will tell us his passing and tackles, positioning do contribute a great deal. But it is hard to quantify the importance of some players.

[Risso]

If we can't hold on to Cleverley then selling Westwood would make even less sense.

 

if we do sign Cleverley, then I could see it, especially if other reinforcements are made.

 

I'm hoping that this summer sees a relaxing of our constraints with a better manager buying better players and thus getting an upgrade on Westwood.  We'll see I suppose.

[Isa]

 

Westwood has shown grit and improved as a player in that time, and although he is never going to set the world alight, he will be a player of premier league standard if he isnt already.

 

I don't see the point in getting rid, he hasn't reached his potential yet and I don't doubt that he will fulfil his potential in the future.

I dunno. The guy is 25 now, his current standard is pretty much as good as it's going to get.