Jack Grealish

Astonishing isn't it that the lad goes from strength to strength, does incredibly well on loan, had a good first run taking the piss out of the opposition, signs a new contract, then gets left out in the cold and his confidence ruined.

I can just see Lambert on the training pitch: "My mate Martin said you were all useless lazy sugarbags and he's right! You lot aren't fit to pass a football forward. All you'll do is pass backward and hoof. Understand? You'll shoot only when I think you're good enough to shoot and score only when blessed Martin tells me that I can tell you when to score. Right, go again."

What's the betting Sherwoods first instruction to Jack is to get a proper pair of football pads and wear the damn things.

Jack's biggest weakness is his tackling, and you can't tackle safely without proper shin pads. I'm amazed that Lambert never put him right. The cut down ankle protectors that he's been getting away with say only one thing to the opposition, "don't worry I'm not going into any 50/50's!" Get some bloody big un's, you hear me young Jack! Rant over.

With you VB protect yourself at all times. If I was playing for the pub team I would have cricket pads on

villabromsgrove wrote:What's the betting Sherwoods first instruction to Jack is to get a proper pair of football pads and wear the damn things.

Jack's biggest weakness is his tackling, and you can't tackle safely without proper shin pads. I'm amazed that Lambert never put him right. The cut down ankle protectors that he's been getting away with say only one thing to the opposition, "don't worry I'm not going into any 50/50's!" Get some bloody big un's, you hear me young Jack! Rant over.

And get a bloody hair cut while you are at it!!

This is good news hopefully http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-boss-tim-sherwood-8733426?

We need battlers for the rest of the season. Jacks got a lot of talent, but the fact that he plays without proper shin protection shows that he's not going to go to war for every ball and that's what we need right now.

I'm not sure that his shin gear is that big a deal, it looks odd and I guess it makes him susceptible to injury there, but he wouldn't be allowed on the pitch if what he wore wasn't acceptable. If he's more comfortable as he is then so be it, it's not something that bothers me personally.

Put it this way - Steve Claridge was the same and I doubt anyone ever accused him of being anything other than fully committed.

I'm more of the opinion that a relegation dogfight is not the place for any teenager with so little top level experience, even if the teenager was a 'dog of war' type of player, because maturity is also required. If Grealish had featured more this season then maybe it would be different, but right now I'd be reluctant to throw him in when Gil and Sinclair are both doing okay.

If he's looking good in training though then I'd have him on the bench, as he could come in handy if we're chasing a game.

But his shinpads aren't an issue for me.

I actually think his lack of shin protection is partly responsible for his style of play. Have you noticed how he turns his body to shield the ball as he changes direction? It's a good skill to have but it slows his attacking play.

Carles Gil goes by players face to face, he takes them on and often leaves them standing. Jack on the other hand has developed a way of screening the ball without being face to face. If Grealish were to really get stuck in to tackles he would get injured. The fact that he doesn't get injured that much is because he doesn't seriously try to win the ball in 50/50's (imo).

Westwood ducks out of 50/50's, Gil is never going to be a ball winner, and neither is Jack. That's too many passengers in a team when we're battling for survival.

LOVED his assist for Sinclair's goal. Perfectly timed and weighted through several defenders while being pressured by a couple others. That kind of killer pass is almost as thrilling as a goal for me, and it's been a long time since I've seen an assist like that by a player in a Villa shirt.

He's been playing well in the limited chances he has gotten this season. Here is hoping Jack will be a huge part of Sherwood's plans going forward. Lots of potential from the young man. Gutted he'll miss the Sunderland match because of that bullshit red card, but I don't think it will affect him.

If Westwood had run that ball out of defence he would have turned back at some point and played the ball off backwards or sideways. Grealish was only ever going to hit a killer forward pass. It's what Villa lacks when we play Westwood and Cleverly together.

One positive about Grealish missing the Sunderland game is that hopefully Gil will be the impact sub instead... He will get a chance to show his worth!

UTV!!!