Paul Lambert backs Tom Cleverley to rise above heclkers

Paul Lambert has defended Tom Cleverley, who was substituted to ironic jeers from a section of Aston Villa supporters during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, but said the Manchester United loanee is not guaranteed a starting spot.


Cleverley is on a season-long loan and his contract at United expires at the end of the season. The Villa manager made it clear there is no agreement with United that the England international will start and he picks Cleverley on merit. “No, I don’t judge whether somebody is on loan,” Lambert said. “You try to pick a team you think will win a game. I don’t pick it through anything else, that is nowhere near it.

“Tom is one of these guys who never hides from the ball. I never criticise anybody for looking for the ball if they make a mistake. It is the same with Carlos [Sánchez] as well and the Arsenal game.

“Tom never hides. He gives it everything he has got, everything to try to do well. He wants to do well here and sometimes that is part and parcel of football. It is not nice to hear.”

Cleverley has struggled to make an impact at Villa, who are away to Hull on Tuesday night. Lambert’s side are 16th in the league and have won only twice in 20 league games. He feels Cleverley may be trying too hard to improve his and the team’s form.

“Tom has played in massive games, he is no novice. Confidence goes when you don’t want to take the ball,” Lambert said. “He has got confidence, it is nothing to do with hiding from the ball, the boy takes the ball and gives everything he has got. He may be trying too hard which can go against you. He keeps on going with the ball and that is a big testament.

Christian Benteke could return for Villa after he was dropped to the bench for the defeat against Chelsea. Philippe Senderos (calf) and Libor Kozak (broken leg) remain Villa’s only absentees after Ron Vlaar returned to the squad at the weekend following a knee problem.


Source: Guardian