Whelan suggests how Steven Gerrard can save Aston Villa job after source’s sack reveal
Noel Whelan has urged Steven Gerrard to scrap his “chopping and changing” of the Aston Villa side as he inches closer to the sack.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 42-year-old must find a “consistent” squad with a “nice balance”.
Gerrard is yet to name an unchanged side this season and has fluctuated between a 4-4-2 diamond and a 4-3-3 formation.
Aston Villa have won just three of their four games this season – and have lost nine of their last 14 in the Premier League.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (29 August) that Gerrard’s position as manager is far from secure and the club’s ambitious American owners won’t hesitate to sack him if results do not improve.
A source told this site that Villa chiefs are lining up Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino as potential replacements should the Liverpool icon depart.
Whelan urged Gerrard to find “steadiness” and stick with a consistent team selection.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’ve got to find a consistent team with a nice balance.
“Gerrard has then got to stick with it. The chopping and changing every week doesn’t help his cause – there’s too much inconsistency.
“There’s no steadiness – whether it’s the defence, attack, or midfield – there’s always something different.
“It’s so hard to find your best eleven and put a run together if you’re constantly changing things every game.”
In other news, Football Insider updates Aston Villa reach agreement in principle to sign Premier League ace.