What a difference a new manager makes ay. Sherwood has been in charge for 10 games and out of those 10 games, we have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 with a total of 16 goals being scored 8 of which belong to Christian Benteke. In this same time frame, we have gradually pulled away from the relegation zone (albeit not safe yet) and have cemented a place at the FA cup final with a well deserved victory against Liverpool.
I’m an excited fan, I can’t help it. To me, Sherwood is the start of something special at the Villa and I can’t contain this feeling. The mentality of the club has changed completely under this man, for one, we can’t stop scoring! And it was this very season that we set the record for most games without a goal, lowest goals in Europe and many other tragic records that feel like a long time ago.
The rumors are going wild and it doesn’t seem too unrealistic to see Sherwood retaining Cleverly, Sinclair and the surprise player Vlaar. All season I have been adamant that he would leave come the summer but he has made a shock u-turn by suggesting that Sherwood is giving he reason to rethink his decision.
Things have changed for me in the past few months since (Tim) Sherwood took over
Then you have the likes of the up and coming who have surged under Tim cough*Grealish* cough. We all thought he was going to be something special and it really seems that he is embracing that role, I just want to see him get a goal under his belt and join the England squad (not asking for much?!). Jack is only one of the younger players, we still have out on loan Gardner who has showed match after match how good he is and much further he can develop. Notts want him, but Sherwood will not let this happen, I thoroughly expect him to return in the summer and play a major part in the upcoming campaign.
To summarize, Sherwood has turned a team that lacked everything into a team that can compete and defeat any on it’s day but come the summer, there is a long list of things to do. We need to reassess our defense because it has become one prone to injuries and reoccurring ones at that. We also need a permanent left back for the future as I neither trust Richardson or Cissokho with that role and believe that Lowton may not be the player we wanted him to be. We also have to bulk out our strike force. That is a lot, but I look at our squad and I look at Sherwood and think that this is going to be something special. I’m 100% backing him, he is what we always wanted in a manager. Style, passion and desire.
It’s premature but we will be pushing for a top 10 finish next season.
