Steven Gerrard faces a crucial run of games at Aston Villa which could determine his future amid a grim warning from a predecessor.
Villa languish 17th in the Premier League after just one win this season under Gerrard, who took charge last November on a contract until 2025.
Gerrard gained a respite when his side fought back against champions Manchester City to gain a gutsy draw last weekend. But with several stars struggling for form, including new captain John McGinn and Brazilian Philippe Coutinho, Gerrard is still vulnerable and under pressure ahead of a trip to basement side Leicester on Saturday. Villa then host Southampton and visit Leeds and Nottingham Forest in a crunch period stretching into next month.
Liverpool legend Gerrard, 42, has high standards and been driven, determined and autocratic with Villa’s squad. He has spoken out publicly when their performances have not been up to scratch and not been afraid to take bold decisions like stripping Tyrone Mings of the captaincy.
But former Villa boss Tim Sherwood, who coached the club for less than a year in 2015 and took them to the FA Cup final , reckons Gerrard’s style could come back to haunt him.
Sherwood assessed: "I'm surprised at the start they've made. When Stevie (Gerrard) came into the club I was really taken by him.
“He's authentic, always speaks the truth and almost too honest at times.
"I did the same, always wore my heart on my sleeve. But it takes its toll in the end and you end up losing your job.
"He's trying to take the pressure off the players, but you do that, the pressure will come to you."
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with champions City ended a run of three straight Premier League defeats.
Defender Ezri Konsa said: “We have to push on from here. Saturday was only one game, we can’t just focus on that. It was a point, we wanted three. Hopefully next game, we get all three.”
The draw was only the fifth time Villa have avoided defeat after conceding first under Gerrard.
Konsa added: “I feel throughout the years here, we do seem to drop off and find it hard to get back in the game. On Saturday we stayed together, showed a great team spirit and got the goal.”
Gerrard's cause has not been helped by a new £26million Brazilian defender Diego Carlos being ruled out for months in just his second appearance due to a ruptured Achilles, which needed surgery.
Also missing this weekend is likely to be Matty Cash with a hamstring injury but Gerrard was thrilled with the impact of veteran replacement Ashley Young, who shares his winning-mentality.
Gerrard said: “Losing Matty was a blow but Ash epitomised everything we needed. He has since I came in the door. When you take on a challenge like this, so early in your coaching career, it is vital you have the right senior players.
“Ash is someone I haven’t had to work on because he has been there, done it and got the winning mentality, the standards.
“His performance against Manchester City epitomised everything about us and the appreciation from the supporters, a lot of it should be for Ash. He drove a lot of our other players.”
