Villa 5 – 3 Notts County; A win, but what’s Sherwood playing at?

My hands are straight up in the air.
I didn’t see or even hear a minute’s commentary of the game, so can’t comment about it.

But I did see the line-up and have to admit I was totally confused.
I mean, why play Sanchez as a centre half, when we at least have options amongst the kids, for a start?

But then it became obvious to me.

Just as Sherwood said there was no chance of Traore getting on the pitch on Saturday, so he played up how important the Capital cup is.
And proved that he doesn’t always mean what he says.

Sherwood can’t have been taking today’s game 100% seriously can he?
If he was, he’d have played a much stronger side, surely?

But I think he actually was being serious.

Tonight was more about giving the peripheral players a run out, to see what they’re about when playing at a level that’s better than the reserves or playing your team-mates at BMH.
And even though it seems we made hard work of it, there’s no denying that the team got the result.
Okay, it could have gone wrong and we might have lost.
But we didn’t.

What Sherwood is doing is pretty much on a par with gambling and I suspect it’s this attitude that leads some to dislike him.
I always wondered why so many Spurs fans detested him even though he was getting results and no doubt this is the sort of reason. It’s his arrogance and his seeming insistence in doing things his own way.
And it’s probably why he’ll stick with Gabby for a while yet; even when we all know it’s wrong.

It just goes against the grain, doesn’t it?
We’re not comfortable with it and we ought to be playing our best side, with form players playing in their best position. Even in Capital cup games.

But dare I suggest that we’ve done just that for far too long and it’s got us nowhere?

Just as most of us thought when Sherwood first came in, we knew it wouldn’t be boring.
And Sherwood still reminds me of a manager of old.
A manager also known for his arrogance, but who proved to be right in his approach. And very, very successful.

I don’t profess to know how Sherwood thinks, but one thing I can pretty much guarantee:
When he and the club part, we’ll either love him or totally detest him.
There won’t be any inbetweens.

In the meantime, he gets a very decent chance from me.
One that doesn’t involve just a handful of games.

61 Comments

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  1. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 August 25, 2015 at 11:29 pm . Reply

    Thought provoking Badger. TS is going to be a marmite character – I Agree with that but it’s better than the boring mumbling defeatism that we got from Lamberk.

    Very strange line up tonight and if he hadn’t got the result………

    Let’s see what Saturday brings.

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath August 25, 2015 at 11:31 pm . Reply

      Sat game more imp if he loses that the good will will start to dwindle

  2. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum August 25, 2015 at 11:31 pm . Reply

    Well said. Personally I found the entire evening absolutely hilarious!

  3. jason moseley
    jason moseley August 26, 2015 at 12:02 am . Reply

    Its quite clear that this,was all about game time and that Timbo was gambling on if we lost that we wouldn’t really give a shit which in reality is probably true .Give the man time ,I agree totally that he is marmite and that life with him will be one big rollercoaster ….but what a fucking ride !!!

  4. Colonius81
    Colonius81 August 26, 2015 at 12:15 am . Reply

    yep, was at work and missed this one, but wow, I am of the opinion why not, f*** it,
    I am always for someone trying to do something different, the same small time approach same small time struggles.
    that said, I am also one for logic, gradual progress, A different approach incrementally deployed would do it for me.

    Game time for the peripherals, tried a few a different things – goal fest in an otherwise nothing to lose game .. its entertainment anyways, hopefully a bit of progression too for the players if in nothing else but fitness and having a go.

  5. Davo
    Davo August 26, 2015 at 12:18 am . Reply
    1. SammyMorgan'sJockStrap
      SammyMorgan'sJockStrap August 26, 2015 at 1:04 am . Reply

      I’d rather we win 5-3 in extra time than lose 1-0 in the 89th minute

  6. Holtender
    Holtender August 26, 2015 at 1:10 am . Reply

    Interesting comment Badger, maybe a little tongue in cheek? But I’ll bite anyway!

    Every good leader must always be 100% sure of themselves and insistent on doing things the way they believe, especially in the modern day football environment. Sherwood’s excellent back room recruitment shows he values other people’s experience and opinions, but ultimately everything must filter through him.

    I can’t help but feel all the hatred towards him comes purely because of his personality rather than ability. Arrogant, cocky and smug are phrases we hear often. For me he seems to be incredibly confident and full of charisma, his persona on the touchline or in interviews comes across as respectful and determined. Would we have convinced players the quality of Amavi or Traore to play for us without him? People will hate him regardless of what he might end up achieving. Does he care? Should we?

    I don’t have an issue with the team selection tonight, we have a big squad that needs competition and fringe players need match fitness. Ultimately we put out a very attacking team to take on lower league opponents, something we’ve all been demanding in the early rounds of the cups for a long time now.

    Our previous manager claimed there was no wingers in modern day football, our current manager played 4 at the same time! Progress surely? 😉

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 August 26, 2015 at 7:20 am . Reply

      Good post Holtender – arrogance and confidence are easy bedfellows!

      Was Clough arrogant – is Mourinho arrogant or Wenger or Ferguson or………..and they all attracted criticism at one time or another……

      What do all those managers have in common – success.

      Don’t knock TS for possibly having the ingredients to become a successful manager.

      1. Holtender
        Holtender August 26, 2015 at 9:21 am . Reply

        If he ends up only half as good as any of those names, he could still be our best manager in quite a while.

        We were all hoping he’d give Gil another chance, and how often will we get to see him start alongside Grealish, Sinclair and (I even smile just typing his name) Traore?

      2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
        OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 3:30 pm . Reply

        Difference is they won stuff. Like everything Sherwood can have have 4 heads if he’s winning who cares

        1. Hitchens 60
          Hitchens 60 August 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm . Reply

          But they all started out like TS – somewhere. My point is that TS shares many of the personality traits so why could he not become a similarly great manager – football is showbiz after all!

          1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm . Reply

            Football is about winning. If he was that good he’s still be at spuds

          2. Hitchens 60
            Hitchens 60 August 26, 2015 at 6:38 pm . Reply

            What exactly was his win ratio at Spurs and which other Spurs manager has a better one. He’s not at Spurs because Levy wanted a ‘name’.

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 7:35 pm . Reply

              Short term though he would never sustain it. His win ratio with us was good to start with but starting to drop percentage wise now. Struggled to beat a crap team from div 2 ffs

          3. Andrew
            Andrew August 26, 2015 at 9:39 pm . Reply

            That’s a surprise? We were always going to struggle with that team out, Sherwood knew that. It was about seeing a few fringe players like Richardson, Hutton, Baker, and getting the fitness of Ayew and Veretout up. Plus seeing the exciting trio of Gil, Traore and Grealish together.

        2. Colonius81
          Colonius81 August 26, 2015 at 10:36 pm . Reply

          football is about winning .. and he has the highest win ratio of any spurs manager Ooh ahh, stick to your point, it can’t be all about winning, but then suddenly its all about how long you win for? what was he supposed to do? win games next season a year early?
          I know you are just trying to stir up comments/traffic and the substance of the comment isn’t or hasn’t ever been there but thats pretty weak.

          Every manager starts somewhere, Sherwood for me is just 4 games into the season,
          He has recruited quite a lot .. there is a lot of tweaking to happen to this squad,
          but knocking him because he is seems sure of himself is a non starter.

          1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
            OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 11:04 pm . Reply

            But he hasn’t done it for long enough. When John Gregory came out form was title winners for first 4-5 months then it evened out and eventually he was sacked. Like I keep saying lets see if Kevan sustain it over a whole season

  7. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson August 26, 2015 at 6:26 am . Reply

    cannot argue with you on that Badge,r or even you Holtender, strange isn’t the word id use, bloody mystifying still lets see over the next few games, Birmingham hey,Well overtime galore to the Police with headaches, even in the police force you have Villa Blues fans, magistrate’s having a party. Pubs closed, town a no go area, transport hectic, lovely jubbly even Sky rubbing their hands. Oohah any thoughts mate?

  8. Bum Bum
    Bum Bum August 26, 2015 at 7:32 am . Reply

    How did Veretout do? And what was Kozac like when he came on?

  9. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN August 26, 2015 at 8:10 am . Reply

    I hope he puts out our strongest team against the SCUM fuck whatever his thought are on the CUP we’ll be at the VILLA longer than Tim will.SOTC

  10. Sidforever
    Sidforever August 26, 2015 at 8:28 am . Reply

    Go for it TS. A good opportunity last night for the second string players to make a case and for others to build up their match fitness.

    I note TS only had 3 first teamers on the sub bench and the rest were U21 players. Interestingly he did not use the U21’s. Hence I don’t think he was gambling. Thus supporting my view above.

    Has this ever happened before?

    The might Villa played at home on the same night as did Blues, Albion and Walsall.

  11. VillaAwayInDiv3
    VillaAwayInDiv3 August 26, 2015 at 10:40 am . Reply

    And Wolves as well…….and ALL won…….now bet THats never happened before.

  12. Andrew
    Andrew August 26, 2015 at 1:34 pm . Reply

    Kozak rejected Celtic, and why wouldn’t he now that they’re out of the CL. Far too good for Scottish football.

  13. Ardent Villain
    Ardent Villain August 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm . Reply

    Well I’m a bit surprised to come on here and find that there aren’t any prophets of doom posting so far!

    While I agree with much of what Badger put in his piece, I still fear that Sherwood and his backroom team don’t know of a defensive formation that works well-enough to stop a League 2 team putting 3 goals past us at VP.

    I was following the game last night with a Mansfield fan – who kept telling me that County were completely hopeless just a week ago in their game, which Mansfield won 2-0; and who just couldn’t understand how Villa could go behind three times!

    Now OK, maybe it wasn’t a first-choice line up by Villa but surely there have to be enough quality defenders at VP to at least not concede 3 goals to a team 70-odd places below us in the league?

    Yes, It will be an interesting ride with Sherwood in charge, and yes, I do believe that long-term he might well prove to be the next Clough, but the more immediate worry is that the defence leaks like a sieve.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 August 26, 2015 at 5:47 pm . Reply

      Yes of course there are (a few quality defenders) but last night wasn’t about playing the strongest defensive line up – more to do with giving time on the pitch to a few players that needed it. TS admitted that the line up he put out was defensively vulnerable.

      Don’t just look at the Villa game – many of the PL sides struggled to put out there lower league opposition. There’s a world of difference (for those sides) between the league and a one off cup game where they have the opportunity to put out a higher league opponent and as a result often step up their game.

    2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 6:09 pm . Reply

      I think he’s more likely to be the next Lamberk

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 August 26, 2015 at 6:39 pm . Reply

        Where did the positive OohAh go?

        1. GIDDYVILLAN
          GIDDYVILLAN August 26, 2015 at 7:35 pm . Reply

          I think it was just a mental episode & probably can’t remember it.at least he’s back to normal now I personally felt uncomfortable when he was positive it felt surreal.

          1. Bill Pearson
            Bill Pearson August 26, 2015 at 8:02 pm . Reply

            I’m sending the funny men to see you Oohah, Their defiantly a screw lose somewhere, one minute you’re sane next minute your nuts,

            1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
              OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 10:59 pm . Reply

              Make sure they wear their white coats

        2. OohAhPaulMcGrath
          OohAhPaulMcGrath August 26, 2015 at 7:36 pm . Reply

          I’m back IV been exorcised and negative oohagh got rid of that evil positive one 🙂

    3. Colonius81
      Colonius81 August 26, 2015 at 10:39 pm . Reply

      good point Ardent but lets say there was more emphasis on the defence would the selection be good enough to put 5 past them?

      I think this is the perfect game for that kind of experimentation .. if anything the fact we conceded 3 here is probably excellent education for the defensive selections next weekend

  14. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson August 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm . Reply

    So the window close on Tuesday for us but the rest of the world on Monday, think we better let Sherwood know, central defender would do nicely and a descent striker as replacement to Abonglahor, happy days, 3 out 2 in.

  15. domingo
    domingo August 26, 2015 at 5:15 pm . Reply

    Frosinone close to Tonev transfer according to a few websites .
    no news on a fee but at least he would be off the wage bill if it happens.

    1. Andrew
      Andrew August 26, 2015 at 9:38 pm . Reply

      Think he could be good there honestly. First season in Serie A so they’re basically unknown, and he showed some glimpses he has a bit of talent, relatively unknown as well. Be a good move for all if he goes there.

  16. originallondonlion
    originallondonlion August 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm . Reply

    I didn’t see the game either, but this game was a bet to nothing. Sherwood wasn’t alone in fielding mainly the reserves, Eddie Howe changed all 11 and Wenger usually does for this cup. For sure the benchwarmers and those further back must be a bit disheartened not to get into a team that has lost its last 2 league matches so for them its a chance to impress in front of a paying audience.

    Rumours are hardening of Kozak going, a club and a fee mentioned, so it was a last chance 48 minutes for him. Sinclair with 3 more goals in a game than Gabby has scored all season, will have a chance to knock on TS’s door on Friday and request a start.

    1. Andrew
      Andrew August 26, 2015 at 8:32 pm . Reply

      You mean Celtic, who he said no too?

  17. domingo
    domingo August 26, 2015 at 6:30 pm . Reply

    Bani Yas make enquiry for Aston Villa winger Charles N’Zogbia .
    please make this true .

    1. Andrew
      Andrew August 26, 2015 at 9:12 pm . Reply

      There was actually a funny article on here at the time we signed him that claimed he’s better than Young and Downing put together. Was never going to be a good acquisition as we’ve either had poor defensive managers or a tactical manager (current) and he fits neither.

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