Looking forward to his return, probably one of our most consistent performers last season.
Where is going to fit in ?

He was awful last season. Dyche's refusal to drop him was one of our biggest problems.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:40 am

He was awful last season. Dyche's refusal to drop him was one of our biggest problems.

The problem last year wasn’t particularly Westwood like it wasn’t Brownhill, the issue was them both together. Too similar in that they both like to press and be busy. We simply didn’t see enough of Corks calmness, composure and positioning last year.

He's been a very good player for us but he won't start if we are at full strength.

Fair point, but there's no denying the best we looked was the run of games with Cork and Brownhill playing together around February time.

He'll hopefully get back to full fitness, and be a good squad player, but as said above I don't think he'll be a starter.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:40 am

He was awful last season. Dyche's refusal to drop him was one of our biggest problems.

OP only said he was consistent. Not consistently good

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:53 am

Fair point, but there's no denying the best we looked was the run of games with Cork and Brownhill playing together around February time.

One of Dyche's biggest mistakes not playing Cork. Bizarre leaving him out. But that's not Westwood's fault and Brownhill wasn't pulling up any trees last season either.

It's a sad state of affairs if we're hanging our hats on Westwood to improve our performances
and transform us.

I stand to be corrected, but I agree that if we have a fully fit squad, we won't see too much of
him, except maybe in cup competitions.

Westwood was instructed to play percentage balls in behind. Not entirely his fault. I think he'll shine in our new system, but ity's a big injury to come back from. Another body in midfield as an option would be welcome

Will be needed at some point after the WC and if he recovers well, will at least match up well against whoever he is up against.

Our squad depth is what gives me hope we can still climb the league further, it's decent.

UTC

In Westwood we have a really good viable alternative to Cullen and Cork at this level. Assuming he recovers well he will be a great option to have.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:40 am

It's a sad state of affairs if we're hanging our hats on Westwood to improve our performances
and transform us.

I stand to be corrected, but I agree that if we have a fully fit squad, we won't see too much of
him, except maybe in cup competitions.

I doubt anyone is hanging their hat on Westwood and thinking he will transform us. We don’t need transforming. We need another very useful option which Westwood will be.

Replaces cork when fully fit for sure

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:02 am

Replaces cork when fully fit for sure

Not so sure about that.

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:02 am

Replaces cork when fully fit for sure

No chance, Cullen maybe...

We will need bodies.

Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Westwood = progress from Marney and Jones days when we were one injury away from being exposed.

Healthy for us when he is back.

Second half of the season will see us pull away from the likes of Reading.

UTC

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Bastien given more of a chance in the deeper role, certainly when teams are sitting in and defending against us.

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:02 am

Replaces cork when fully fit for sure

Assuming he gets back to full fitness he will have a big part to play. A player with genuine Premier League pedigree will stand out at this level. He’s also one of, if not the best forward passer in the squad - and we do play the long ball over the top to Tella and long diagonal switch to Maatsen frequently.

On his day hes better than cork
Cork hasnt the legs for a 40 + game season

He’ll be useful but as always with longer term, bad injuries, it can take at least half a season to get back to full speed (following their actual return).

He could certainly play in a 2 in CM, which would allow Tella to play as a striker with 2 proper wingers.

Not all the time, but yesterday when our midfield couldn't get hold of the ball and dominate, switching to 442 and giving them more problems in defence would have been the thing to try.

He might get on the bench for the odd game.

I honestly don't know how good a player Westwood is. Can't remember him playing for Villa and we had so little possession in our time in the Premier league and spent so much time bypassing the midfield. Be interesting to see him in a possession based team at this level.

Vino blanco wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:54 am

He might get on the bench for the odd game.

I'm thinking the same. He doesn't make the starting 11 and he'll be fighting for a place on the bench.

I'd have him as the cup team.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:53 am

Fair point, but there's no denying the best we looked was the run of games with Cork and Brownhill playing together around February time.

And the first opportunity to break this partnership was taken and contributed to end result.

Westwood struggled a bit last season I thought. We looked far better with cork next to brownhill.

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 11:02 am

Replaces cork when fully fit for sure

I doubt that, to be honest he might struggle to get a game unless it’s due to someone being injured, he’s a good player but he was too negative for me but in his defence that could have been due to the instructions he was given.

beddie wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 12:27 pm

I doubt that, to be honest he might struggle to get a game unless it’s due to someone being injured, he’s a good player but he was too negative for me but in his defence that could have been due to the instructions he was given.

Amazing, that we're talking like this. It wasn't so long ago if we lost him through to injury we'd be foooked. Now, he's not even a definite for the bench.

I'm loving this team.

Maybe gives Cullen some competition. Doesn’t walk straight in though. As said above he won’t transform us.

Westwood is a very good player. He will shine in this division and team, once fully fit.

I feel the need to repeat myself
Hes a miles better player than cork when fit

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 1:53 pm

I feel the need to repeat myself
Hes a miles better player than cork when fit

Really?

I must admit that, with all the comings and goings, I’d forgotten all about him.

I clicked on this thinking it was the Tesla Robot thread ...

4midable wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 1:53 pm

I feel the need to repeat myself

Please don't.

Bazer1882 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:38 am

Looking forward to his return, probably one of our most consistent performers last season.
Where is going to fit in ?

He was consistently bad, yes.

I think Westy like Matt Lowton and Barnes have had theie day sad but it comes to all players eventually. They've all played a part in our success but now it's time to move on to new players

Has the potential to be outstanding in this division. Far better footballer than Cullen and proven at Premier League level.
Only a couple of seasons ago he was the player who made us tick.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:05 pm

I think Westy like Matt Lowton and Barnes have had theie day sad but it comes to all players eventually. They've all played a part in our success but now it's time to move on to new players

Could not agree more-add JBG to this list. Nostalgia seems to be abundant with some clarets. We extended the careers of Lowton and Westy when they left Villa, and they gave us some great years in fairness, but their comes a time when you have to accept its impossible to give the club the performance thats required for the club to realise its goals and ambitions.

Spent the majority of his career at the top level, hopefully comes back fit. Sheff Utd top of the league with Oliver Norwood who hasn't had half the club career and Forest got promoted with Jack Colback - let's not be writing Ashley off yet !!

If he is fit can he play before January as I assume we have named our 25 for the first half of the season or does the 25 player rule not apply in the EFL?

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:09 pm

Could not agree more-add JBG to this list. Nostalgia seems to be abundant with some clarets. We extended the careers of Lowton and Westy when they left Villa, and they gave us some great years in fairness, but their comes a time when you have to accept its impossible to give the club the performance thats required for the club to realise its goals and ambitions.

Nostalgia doesn’t come into it. Westwood still has a couple of good seasons in him. We are currently getting carried away about a team of unproven players who play the Vincent pass pass way with little or no penetration.
Say what you like about Westwood but he always makes himself available for a ball into feet and then plays the ball into forward positions not like the sideways mind numbingly boring tippy tappy sh!te we are are currently persevering with.

will be a good player at this level. Great passer, reads the game so well.
I really hope he can get his fitness back

I think the value comparison with Barnes is off the mark. I like the value comparisons with successful players such as Norwood and do feel Westwood would put pressure on Cullen's place in the team which would be good for all. His return to fitness would also help take the load of Cork.

I really hope he’s back soon just for the clip over the top that either goes to the keeper or out for a goal kick every time.

This is hard to judge. Westwood has played in a PL team that played ultra defensive football and largely ignored midfield play. Now on his return he would be asked to play Championship football in a team that relies heavily on possession and midfield work. He could be brilliant or he could be awful. At this time I think there is no real way of knowing but I would like to think that, like Brownhill, he would flourish unshackled from Dyches rigid system and complete non-reliance on midfield.