I think it would be a mistake to offload Thudd. Personally I think to be one of the best teams you need to think in terms of midfielders who can both attack and defend, rather than midfielders who are primarily defensive or attacking. Especially if they are playing more centrally. While we have Bale and Lennon who can do both playing wide, we lack all round midfielders in the centre. Sandro, Parker, Livermore are mainly defensive. Sigurdsson, Dempsey, Falque and Townsend are more forward minded. Although Dembele has played deep, he seems more of an attacking midfielder to me. Which leaves Carroll, who shapes up like he can do both, and Thudd, who, with games, could do both too.
Thudd is only 25/26 and coming back off a long lay off. Although he was off the pace in the first few games, I thought he looked progressively more mobile, and more comfortable. Of all the players we have -including Dembele - Hudd has the most natural eye for a telling pass. Whether that is short or long. And I think it is shame that Livermore, who is workmanlike, makes the squad over Thudd.