Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: brontebilly on October 09, 2012, 09:56:29 PM
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6 games in, what are the initial thoughts of how the Paul Lambert reign has kicked off?
Obviously there has been a huge turnaround in personnel since last season. Players and management still getting to know each other and new signings still settling in.
The cup win at City obviously the highlight but aside from that 5 points from the opening six games is a poor return. Given's form over the summer has carried over with Guzan coming in. Many of us held reservations about the Vlaar and Clark partnership which is very much a work in progress. 2 new full backs, both did ok at the weekend but still not offering much width going forward. An improvement on the gruesome twosome though.
Midfield there is a startling lack of quality available. Dont think Lambert has made up his mind if he is looking for a diamond formation there or is looking for widemen. Ireland and Nzogbia still flattering to deceive while El Ahmadi is starting to struggle after a positive impression in the first few games.
Up front the wait for a league goal goes on for Gabby. Benteke looks a handful but very raw. Bent and the manager seem at loggerheads already but he still has scored twice.
We really seem like we will struggle to score this season. No threat from midfield and Bent is still our best bet for a goal. I think there is a distinct lack of quality in midfield which is hurting us at both ends of the pitch.
Have we improved all that much from last season on the evidence so far?
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He's got a difficult job but I think he's the man to do it.
A big thumbs up from me with the caveat that he needs to buy, beg, borrow or steal an experinced midfielder or two in Jan.
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I like how he was very quick to identify that Warnock, Collins and Hutton were our weakness and he has gone out to do all that he can to rectify that. Obviously Hutton not going anywhere has possibly meant another player may not have come in.
I like his signings, all young players with something to prove in the game and should they be a success and move on to a bigger club we'll make good money on them. His buying has been thoughtful and strategic. Off the pitch Lambert has moved quickly to bring in his own backroom staff and they have a tough job to completely turn us around. There is a marked improvement in the way we play and it will take time for 'his way' to turn into results.
Lambert has the fans on his side, but will no doubt make mistakes, just like his young players we have to be patient and take the poorer performances on the chin and not get carried away with the wins. We'll be more positive, we'll at least try and win some games and score goals. I think we'll win more games this season, but I also think we'll lose more and draw not many.
Give him time, and a few quid in the next 2 or 3 transfer windows and he will see us ok I'm confident.
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Heavily optimistic about the future. A tiny bit concerned about the present.
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Proud history, Brighter future than 3 years ago!
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7 games, not 6.
I'm optimistic for the long run. I'd love us to have more points already but the signs are there that things are going in the right direction. The only result that i'm really narked by is the Saints one, and those things happen sometimes.
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7 games, not 6.
I'm optimistic for the long run. I'd love us to have more points already but the signs are there that things are going in the right direction. The only result that i'm really narked by is the Saints one, and those things happen sometimes.
I agree with that. The trouble for me is that things have so bollocks for the last two or three years that I find it difficult to summon up much enthusiasm or optimism at the moment.
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Heavily optimistic about the future. A tiny bit concerned about the present.
Well summed up Chips. It feels a little like last season results wise and nothing like it in pretty much every other aspect. That's why I'm convinced the results will come.
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We're keeping the ball on the ground and the team all move around each other trying to free up a pass, Around January 2 years back under Houllier this was starting to happen, before his heart started playing up then we reverted to the type of hoofing we all know and love.
We fight for the game for 90 minutes, instead of rolling over and dying.
Although it might not show in results, we are playing a lot better than I've seen in a while.
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If it was late December and we're still 16th, then yes, get the cyanide pills out.
We've been unlucky in games and still have a squad full of expensive shite. Just how long do people expect PL to affect positive, sustained change under these circimstances?
Seven games and some are even calling for his head. Luckily they're fuckwits.
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We're in for a relegation battle as we have been for the past two seasons. The new signings have on the whole been fairly impressive but our back four's lack of premiership experience has been plain to see. We've lost too many soft goals and we've had problems against the smaller more mobile forwards. Attacking wise whilst Benteke may have potential at this moment in time he's nowhere near the level of Bent and would be behind Bent,Gabby and Weimann for me. EL Ahmadi has been the best new signing and in general i'd say we've looked a lot better in midfield. N'Zogbia, a player who i've never taken to has started to perform and show the undoubted ability he has. the one big improvement has been the spirit we've shown and 45 minutes aside at St Mary's we've at least shown fight which bodes well as it's going to be a long season. We need to start taking our chances and winning some home games as there is already a gap appearing in the league table. I have faith in Lambert to steer us to safety as he has already put the pride back into the club that Houllier first took away before McMinge led us into a big depression. In the summer I said we'd get tenth at best and i'll stick to that but I think it'll be a season of looking over our shoulders rather than ahead of us.
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Taking the right steps and I expect a better second half to the season. Its wrong to compare the start if this and last season. We need to look at the second half of last year. We've sold the majority of an entire squad from 2 years ago
Even if we did go down, I think lambert would be the best man to bring us up again
But we lack proven quality in midfield
I think kea has improved in the last 3 games. Can ill afford to lose him to the African nations.
Our greenness is a problem at the moment
Really need Ireland / n'zogbia to kick on at this point. Tempted to start n'zogbia v Norwich to really try and pull them apart
Bannan has created more chances than any other player this year and he needs another chance for me
Can
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For all the changes, the key for Lambert is to get his most talented players integrated into defined roles in the side and playing - N'Zogbia and Ireland. He also needs Dunne at his best in the back four to give much needed experience.
We look a side with plenty of enthusiasm and commitment - can't fault that this season, but we lack quality and are not creating many chances. With a defence that is shaky at times, it's not a good combination.
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. He also needs Dunne at his best in the back four to give much needed experience.
Spot on
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We are missing the massive experience of (an in form) Dunne and Petrov.
Whilst the back four has lots of promise, there is a lack of experience at this level, hopefully they will all grow as a unit.
I also think Bent has to start and the sooner the midfield shape and personnel are worked out, the better.
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He's got a very difficult job on his hands. But he's the man to do it, a lot of dead weight to wave goodbye too and he needs to bring a few more players in
I like the way were playing, the way we don't seem to give up and the way we set up. Were gunna really hammer a team soon, got a feeling it could be Norwich
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I'm pretty relaxed about it so far. We've only had two shockers in my view and that was the two second half performances at West Ham and Southampton. Everton well and truly beat us, Newcastle was fine as was Swansea and West Brom. We are a new team in the making and they need time. I am worried about his dropping of Bent. Benteke has missed game changing chances in the last two away league games and I can only think that we need to sell him.
So I'm more concerned about Randy: has he gone into Doug mode whereby we have to self fund? In which case lets just concentrate on a decade of mid table and league cup runs. Just like about 14 other teams in the league.
I am impressed with us as fans though. Great away support and they are buying into what PL is trying to do. They deserved that night at Man City, here's to another cup run.
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Who's called for his head? I heard a rumour at Spurs but I was there and I never heard a thing. I think that's bollocks personally
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It's a huge task he took on and will take time in rebuilding the squad. There have certainly been signs of what he wants to do and how he intends to play which have been hugely positive. This season for me is all about building foundations, hopefully solid foundations for the future. We've had a couple of 'surprising' and disappointing results thus far but I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking this is going to be a proper Jekyll & Hyde season.
My only concern really has been the dropping of Darren Bent who I think should have started at Spurs at the weekend but I have faith in Lambert, and hope he's given the support from all associated at / with the club.
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Who's called for his head? I heard a rumour at Spurs but I was there and I never heard a thing. I think that's bollocks personally
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really ?
tough job on but I am not that worried as I can see what he is trying achieve, get rid of the deadwood and get to January and then we should take stock of where we are .
no panic here
UTV
The Doc
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It's far too early to assess him.
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It's far too early to assess him.
I think it's far too early to judge or draw any meaningful conclusions, but the assessment is an ongoing thing, IMO.
So far, it's a case of some good work being put in, both on and off the pitch, which hasn't yielded the results yet. I think there's two reasons for that; a) these things take time and b) we probably are lacking in a bit of quality. I'm hopeful Randy will back him again in January, but even then I think we're facing a season of ups and downs where we just need to have a bit of faith and get behind the team and the manager.
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In the medium to long term he is what we need, someone who is seems keen to play modern, tactical football, bring in younger hungrier players rather than overpaid cruisers, and who doesn't take any shit.
In the short term I am concerned he is making a similar mistake to Houllier in trying to change the culture overnight. While younger hungrier players are great you do need some older experienced heads in the PL and I'm not convinced we have enough. We definitely need a midfield general and a few more leaders on the pitch.
In a similar vein Lerner has gone from one extreme to the other, from throwing money around like there's no tomorrow to tightening the purse strings to a degree that seriously hinders our competitiveness.
Whilst I feel positive about Lambert generally I can't help thinking that these two short term policies combined represent a very big risk to our PL status. A couple of solid midfield signings in January would go a long way to alleviating that feeling.
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For me this season is all about survival, then we go again (to use a lambert stock phrase) next summer. I'm hoping our new scouting network unearth a few gems for 2013.
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After three years of rigid tactics, followed by a year of hard to discern tactics, and a year of disgraceful defensive nonsense, it is good to see a manager who will change the way he sends us out, depending on the opposition.
Have to concur with Joe's point on the previous page, though, it has all been so humdrum and rubbish for so long now, it's hard to be as enthusiastic as I might have been in the past.
That degree of recent shitness is reflected in how long it is going to take to put things right. We sank very deeply, very quickly. In terms of general, overall stewardship of the club, you have to question the chairman and how he has run things to allow a huge investment to be reduced to this, so quickly. In fact, it is the chairman who worries me more than the manager.
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The thing I love about Lambert is that he sets out to WIN every single game.You never hear him using the words "elite clubs" like a certain other manager,he treats every team as an equal.The most soul destroying aspect of last season was knowing that we were not even going to attempt to compete with the top 6 and the complete lack of responsibility for results by TSM who regularly resorted to belittling the club on more than one occasion.PL takes full responsibility for results and has said so on many occasions.I love his confidence in himself and the players.I'm with him all the way
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I am worried about his dropping of Bent. Benteke has missed game changing chances in the last two away league games and I can only think that we need to sell him.
Before I begin may I just say, "Jesus! Really?? OH REALLY?? Nothing like giving a chap the chance to settle in to the pace of the game, etc, etc..."
As I have said before I'd rather lose playing good football than to keep watching us barely survive as we did last year. This was never going to be a quick job, the squad from last season was threadbare and it's confidence drained by a grinding year of negative tactics. It wasn't just the quality of the squad that needed improving, it was the mentality also.
I don't think we are going to be relegated but I don't believe we'll be top 8, not for another season or two. I see progress, players that believe in themselves. We have to see that there is half a new team out on that pitch most weeks and they will only improve by playing together. We have a new back four, it takes time to develop an understanding of each other's playing style and adapt to suit.
We'll be fine it will just take a little time and patience, getting on the team's back will only make the situation worse, at least they are trying this year, something I wasn't convinced they were doing last year.
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Far too early to assess, but I think he'll be fine. He's done enough good things already to suggest he has a good plan in mind.
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Too early. He could be the next Ron Saunders but equally he could be the next Billy McNeill.
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My enthusiasm in the Villa was renewed with the departure of the previous encumbent in the manager's position and the appointment of Lambert. We all knew it wouldn't be smooth sailing to start off with but I firmly believe we're on the right track.
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No chance he will be a McNeil on the basis PL he has a clue.
This is not going to be an overnight fix. We've got a virtually new side which is playing better than anything offered up for a few years. Yes, there have been mistakes, especially in defence, these need to be sorted and as stated already the 'Dunne' type experience back there would help short term.
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The analogy I'd use is, imagine a long haul flight London HRW - Sydney. We've just taken off, got to 15,000 ft and hit some turbulence. The pilot will bring the position under control and settle in for a long journey.
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The analogy I'd use is, imagine a long haul flight London HRW - Sydney. We've just taken off, got to 15,000 ft and hit some turbulence. The pilot will bring the position under control and settle in for a long journey.
You see, Paul, managing a club is very much like making love to a beautiful woman..." ;)
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The analogy I'd use is, imagine a long haul flight London HRW - Sydney. We've just taken off, got to 15,000 ft and hit some turbulence. The pilot will bring the position under control and settle in for a long journey.
Yes but the owner of the airline has only seen fit to fill the plane with cheap, experimental new fuel - which gives rise to the risk of dropping into shark infested waters somewhere to the south-west of Indonesia.
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The analogy I'd use is, imagine a long haul flight London HRW - Sydney. We've just taken off, got to 15,000 ft and hit some turbulence. The pilot will bring the position under control and settle in for a long journey.
You see, Paul, managing a club is very much like making love to a beautiful woman..." ;)
Yes, early on it's easy to see what she offers up front. Further down below there are possibilities but at an early stage, understandably, it's at the back where mistakes can be made.
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Lots of Villa fans thought that as soon as McLeish was gone, it would almost be perfectly alright straight after.
This is a massive job.
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I am worried about his dropping of Bent. Benteke has missed game changing chances in the last two away league games and I can only think that we need to sell him.
Before I begin may I just say, "Jesus! Really?? OH REALLY?? Nothing like giving a chap the chance to settle in to the pace of the game, etc, etc..."
Sorry I meant to imply selling Bent not Benteke. That said I did write Benteke off when he missed that chance against Swansea, but was forced to eat humble pie just after!
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Selling Bent ? Just talk me through that one ???
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I am glad that the general consensus is that we need to give Lambert time, given how much we have fallen in the past two seasons. Long term I think we will do well with PL, but the short term may be wobbly.
My main concerns re our performances so far are that we have not had a difficult start to the season but only have five points. It is far too early to make real judgment but I hope this is due to a bedding in process with a number of new signings.
I think the squad needs two things for this campaign - more experience and physical presence. I thought we looked physically frail at Spurs and W Ham, particularly in midfield. We have the potential for a bright future but need to ensure the present is secure first.
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Bent is the first player that is literally guarenteed to score goals for us (even when not he or the team are not playing particularly well) since perhaps Yorke. Unless he is acting like a complete tw*t and causing sedation at the club then he shouldn't be sold at all.
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Bent is the first player that is literally guarenteed to score goals for us (even when not he or the team are not playing particularly well) since perhaps Yorke. Unless he is acting like a complete tw*t and causing sedation at the club then he shouldn't be sold at all.
Over the last few years, the football has done that very well.
*wink*
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Bent is the first player that is literally guarenteed to score goals for us (even when not he or the team are not playing particularly well) since perhaps Yorke. Unless he is acting like a complete tw*t and causing sedation at the club then he shouldn't be sold at all.
Over the last few years, the football has done that very well.
*wink*
I wouldn't say he has gone as far as being involved in open mutiny against PL that it has caused discord in the dressing room. It isn't the same as the way that Warnock, Dunne and Collins shamelessly tried to cause a revolt against Houllier. Yes, Bent was stupid to say what he said to the media and his punishment was probably being left out again against Spuds. I doubt the general dressing room morale has been affected by his 'spat' with PL. Lets not forget that the media have tried their best to spin it, labeling it as a crisis and such.
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silhillvilla: you wanted someone to talk you through selling Bent. It's when a club offers us (and him) money to let him go and play for them.
Okay?
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Percy, thanks for clearing that up. ;)
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No problem.
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And I'm not saying we should sell him either. But he's from that other era when we purchased expensive England internationals with our carefree billionaire owner who is now trying to do it another way (on the cheap). Under these guidelines a swap for Bent on big money and Benteke on less money makes sense.
It makes no odds to me really, I'm with the new program and backing PL to sort it. VTWD an all that
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Our decline really started when we bought two complete defences in the space of two summer transfer windows and not a single one of the incomers was worth the money we forked out.
For the next two years or so we were carried by the few good players we already had - Mellberg, Laursen & Barry together with the two or three good signings we did manage to make.
At the point O'Neill left, we probably had 5 years worth of rebuilding to do to get to the level we thought we were already at. We spent the next two years doing little else but dig a bigger hole.
Against that backcloth I don't see how you can pass any kind of judgement on a manager after 7 games, other than seems to be doing ok thus far.
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I'm not sure we have the physical fight to get out of this battle. I think we're a bit soft.
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Like him, like most of what he's done so far.
Thought his subs v Spurs were awful, and I'd like to know why he didn't sign another midfielder.
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I'm trying to work out if he's more miserable than Ron Saunders
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I've got faith in PL he will get us there in the end keep the faith I think he his doing a good job I know the results haven't been what we wanted but the results will come in the end.
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One win from 7, when we've played the likes of West Ham, Southampton and the Baggies is not good going, so far I'm not impressed. No sign yet that Lambert will get more out of Bent, Gabby, Ireland and N'Zogbia than the previous manager did and if we cant get those four playing and back to their best form I don't believe we have enough quality elsewhere in the squad to see us through.
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I'm not buying into this narrow 4-4-2 system, it leaves our young inexperienced full backs way too exposed. I think he needs a wider 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 system, to give Lowton and Bennett more cover. Maybe playing N'Zogbia and Holman wide would give us more protection. I'm pretty sure he's also going to sell Bent in Jan if we're stable enough in the league placings.
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silhillvilla: you wanted someone to talk you through selling Bent. It's when a club offers us (and him) money to let him go and play for them.
Okay?
Well at least your answer wasn't condescending.
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I'm not buying into this narrow 4-4-2 system, it leaves our young inexperienced full backs way too exposed. I think he needs a wider 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 system, to give Lowton and Bennett more cover. Maybe playing N'Zogbia and Holman wide would give us more protection. I'm pretty sure he's also going to sell Bent in Jan if we're stable enough in the league placings.
then we will go back to playing the tried and tested way we have always done, 4, 4, 2, 2 holding midfielders, 2 wingers, forwards running the channels. if you always do what youve alwys done, youll always get what you always got! No Success!
playing with 2 attacking full backs is the way to go! it is exciting, just need everyone to stay calm. i certainly can see the light!
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Our decline really started when we bought two complete defences in the space of two summer transfer windows and not a single one of the incomers was worth the money we forked out.
For the next two years or so we were carried by the few good players we already had - Mellberg, Laursen & Barry together with the two or three good signings we did manage to make.
At the point O'Neill left, we probably had 5 years worth of rebuilding to do to get to the level we thought we were already at. We spent the next two years doing little else but dig a bigger hole.
Against that backcloth I don't see how you can pass any kind of judgement on a manager after 7 games, other than seems to be doing ok thus far.
Agree completely.
Unless we go on an obviously / ridiculously disastrous run, say we're looking like being cut adrift by christmas, Lambert needs a season at least.
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Our decline really started when we bought two complete defences in the space of two summer transfer windows and not a single one of the incomers was worth the money we forked out.
For the next two years or so we were carried by the few good players we already had - Mellberg, Laursen & Barry together with the two or three good signings we did manage to make.
At the point O'Neill left, we probably had 5 years worth of rebuilding to do to get to the level we thought we were already at. We spent the next two years doing little else but dig a bigger hole.
Against that backcloth I don't see how you can pass any kind of judgement on a manager after 7 games, other than seems to be doing ok thus far.
Agree completely.
Unless we go on an obviously / ridiculously disastrous run, say we're looking like being cut adrift by christmas, Lambert needs a season at least.
This.
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I'm trying to work out if he's more miserable than Ron Saunders
Ron was never miserable. He may have appeared so to the media but to Villa fans he had a wonderful, dry sense of humour that almost everybody understood and appreciated. The comparison with Lambert is however interesting. Lambert's not one to over state an issue and tries his honest best to explain his actions to us. He also seems, like Ron to have a very high respect for the Villa fans and understands their importance in the team's success.
I still believe we'll start to have a home record to be proud of, something we haven't really seen since Saunders' days.
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I'm not buying into this narrow 4-4-2 system, it leaves our young inexperienced full backs way too exposed. I think he needs a wider 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 system, to give Lowton and Bennett more cover. Maybe playing N'Zogbia and Holman wide would give us more protection. I'm pretty sure he's also going to sell Bent in Jan if we're stable enough in the league placings.
Problem with 4-4-2 is that it will leave us exposed in central midfield and we would get overrun in there. You could drop a forward into the "hole" to help out, but we don't really have someone who can do the defensive duties in that role and contribute their fair share of goals and assists as well. The other options are a more defensive 4-5-1 or even a 3-5-2 style formation which MON employed when Lambert played under him at Celtic. The latter could be an option when Dunne comes back and we could have a line up looking like:
Guzan
Vlaar Dunne Clark
Lowton El Ahmadi Delph Bennett
Ireland
Gabby Bent
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The team seems to be willing, enthusiastic and hardworking. Just like a young apprentice trying to impress. However it lacks experience, gile and the winning attitude.
I can't really judge Lambert yet. I would predict we will survive this season and next season. Finally establishing ourselves as an upper mid table club, with the occasional cup run
thereafter.
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I think he's a good manager, but he's taken a big risk with the signings he's made. I think our problem area is going to be midfield as we don't have a lot of quality and fight there.
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He's not TSM.
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He is the man. Of course we'd all love a better return in terms of points and league placing, but I remain more optimistic about the club's medium-term future than I have in about three years.
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He is a straight shooter and has a proper plan. That's a good enough starting point for me. We will be fine.
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He done a good job so far, but it is not easy to find the best system to use and he doesn't have all the players available he need ie Dunne, Ireland. Plus we got new back 5 and 2 new players in midfield which make it hard to gel quickly. We might not got the new midfield general yet, but maybe he got to work out which system work best and which midfield general to buy for our system.
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Home games really are going to be massive this season, while we have a young team still getting used to each other - they need all the encouragement they can get. I think our results so far confirm this, and thankfully the Holte's been wonderful.
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The Trinity Road, the Witton Lane and the North have also played their part. Villa Park is not just about the Holte End.
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The Trinity Road, the Witton Lane and the North have also played their part. Villa Park is not just about the Holte End.
I know, I'm just using the cliche really.
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The Trinity Road, the Witton Lane and the North have also played their part. Villa Park is not just about the Holte End.
Very much so, I've been in the North Lower a lot & the atmosphere has been really good.
Equally I was Witton upper for WBA and the fans near the away end deserve lots of respect on the "front line" as it were and creating a great villa buzz up there
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The Trinity Road, the Witton Lane and the North have also played their part. Villa Park is not just about the Holte End.
Very much so, I've been in the North Lower a lot & the atmosphere has been really good.
Equally I was Witton upper for WBA and the fans near the away end deserve lots of respect on the "front line" as it were and creating a great villa buzz up there
Do they sing up in P8? I'm asking out of pure interest, I know a lot of people on here sit around there and I've often wondered what the atmosphere's like.
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Home games really are going to be massive this season, while we have a young team still getting used to each other - they need all the encouragement they can get. I think our results so far confirm this, and thankfully the Holte's been wonderful.
Very much so. Everton game apart, its still 4 of our 5 points from home games. The fixture list has been a bit strange too, where we haven't had two successive home games yet (not sure if it has been the same for everyone) which hasn't really allowed any momentum to build. I think it goes without saying that we will surpass last seasons diabolical home tally whatever happens.
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Better than last season, performance if not points wise - so far anyway - optimistic the wins will come and not worried about relegation
For me the issue is the quality not quantity of the squad, and PL not seeming to know the best formation for the players available. Was thinking today that the Spurs starting XI :
Guzan
Lowton Ron Clark Bennett
KEA Delph Holman Albrighton
Gabby Benteke
is no better than this alternative XI :
Given
Lichaj Dunne Baker Stevens
Bannan Gardner/Westwood/Herd Ireland Nzog
Bent Weimann
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I do have a feeling that come the end of the season we're gonna wish he'd have spent the Benteke money on the midfield.
Guzan
Vlaar Dunne Clark
Lowton El Ahmadi Delph Bennett
Ireland
Gabby Bent
I really like the look of that. 3-5-2 seems to be making a bit of a come back too.
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I like the cut of Lambert's jib. He appears to be ambitious and exudes confidence, whilst remaining realistic. He's not shy of making a substitution or three, and understands the game well. I also liked hearing him say that if we're playing a game, we're in it to win it.
One one hand, I'm a bit worried because he's only had one year in the premiership with Naaarch; on the other, his successive promotions with them and his well-documented choice to take his training badges auf Deutschlande point to a manager who comes with bright ideas and a certain intellectual quirkiness.
Whatever, PL is better qualified than Sir Brian Little was when he took the helm. I can only hope that 4th in the prem and the League Cup in his second season will be the least of Lambert's achievements!
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I think Lambert is in his discovery period at the moment whereby he is finding the problems with the squad. It's hard to judge the bloke before we find out what his solutions are. That's where his metal will be judged by his success rate with his decision making.
On the definite plus side:
+ The team always goes out to win
+ We're targeting a type of football that if achieved will have the potential to test the best
+ The squad seem more united under his stewardship
+ There is scope to grow due to the removal of the deadwood players
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Lambert possess a quiet confidence that seems to overflow into the players mindset. The first half against the spuds we were the better side and at the beginning of the second half could of been two up. Admittedly they had chances. But you can see that confidence is getting better and this will come to fruition with a couple of back to back wins. I am very happy and pleased in the progress he is making with a team that had no direction belief or determination to succeed. The whole of Villa Park has backed the team all the way and fairplay to the noise the lower North stand has made in recent home games .......
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Better than last season, performance if not points wise - so far anyway - optimistic the wins will come and not worried about relegation
For me the issue is the quality not quantity of the squad, and PL not seeming to know the best formation for the players available. Was thinking today that the Spurs starting XI :
Guzan
Lowton Ron Clark Bennett
KEA Delph Holman Albrighton
Gabby Benteke
is no better than this alternative XI :
Given
Lichaj Dunne Baker Stevens
Bannan Gardner/Westwood/Herd Ireland Nzog
Bent Weimann
I think that is down to Lamberts transfer policy. It is almost the opposite of MON's.
Under MON we had a good starting line up we relied on with the hope that nobody got injured. If a player was back up the chances are he wouldn't play more than ten games a season.
I think Lambert is the opposite. For example rather than going out and buying a left back that is guaranteed to start he has bought Bennett, who looks a tidy player but will know he is not guaranteed a place. Lichaj will feel he has a chance of breaking into the side.
Where as for the past few years we have had a clear team and the first teamers have known they are guaranteed to start, that won't happen this season. I think almost every player in the squad will end up playing over ten games this season
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
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While it's not pleasant to see our efforts so scantly rewarded, I'd rather have a slow start under Lambert building to a position of strength than be unbeaten under McLeish and not mathematically safe from relegation on the final day of the season.
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I would point out that I distinctly remember Norwich fans complaining about his somewhat erratic and irrational rotation policy. I fear we may fall victim to this with players been chopped and changed not on form but on a whim sometimes. I hope I'm misreading what's happened so far but I'm seeing shades of this already...
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I would point out that I distinctly remember Norwich fans complaining about his somewhat erratic and irrational rotation policy. I fear we may fall victim to this with players been chopped and changed not on form but on a whim sometimes. I hope I'm misreading what's happened so far but I'm seeing shades of this already...
Most of them were pleased with his rotation policy if I remember correctly. Remember most of them telling us how PL is a tactical genius and how he picks teams according to opposition.
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
this
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I would point out that I distinctly remember Norwich fans complaining about his somewhat erratic and irrational rotation policy. I fear we may fall victim to this with players been chopped and changed not on form but on a whim sometimes. I hope I'm misreading what's happened so far but I'm seeing shades of this already...
Most of them were pleased with his rotation policy if I remember correctly. Remember most of them telling us how PL is a tactical genius and how he picks teams according to opposition.
It could be an 'outside looking in' thing. Remember that under O'Neill, half of us on here who thought he was great were constantly at war with the other half who thought he was a one-dimensional tosser. And 100% of non-Villa fans still think the sun shines out of his arse and always will do.
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I would point out that I distinctly remember Norwich fans complaining about his somewhat erratic and irrational rotation policy. I fear we may fall victim to this with players been chopped and changed not on form but on a whim sometimes. I hope I'm misreading what's happened so far but I'm seeing shades of this already...
Most of them were pleased with his rotation policy if I remember correctly. Remember most of them telling us how PL is a tactical genius and how he picks teams according to opposition.
It could be an 'outside looking in' thing. Remember that under O'Neill, half of us on here who thought he was great were constantly at war with the other half who thought he was a one-dimensional tosser. And 100% of non-Villa fans still think the sun shines out of his arse and always will do.
Good point. Same with 'Arry. Loads of Spuds fans were delighted when he left but you'd never know that reading the crap written in the media.
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...
It could be an 'outside looking in' thing. Remember that under O'Neill, half of us on here who thought he was great were constantly at war with the other half who thought he was a one-dimensional tosser. And 100% of non-Villa fans still think the sun shines out of his arse and always will do.
I was talking to an Everton fan the other day who was of of the opinion that we are getting all we deserve after screwing O'Neill over.
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
This summarises my feelings exactly.
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...
It could be an 'outside looking in' thing. Remember that under O'Neill, half of us on here who thought he was great were constantly at war with the other half who thought he was a one-dimensional tosser. And 100% of non-Villa fans still think the sun shines out of his arse and always will do.
I was talking to an Everton fan the other day who was of of the opinion that we are getting all we deserve after screwing O'Neill over.
Then there's the ones who can never understand why we sacked him.
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
This summarises my feelings exactly.
And mine
The one thing that gets football fans going through thick and thin is hope - last year that hope of anything other than yet another humiliating defeat was taken away
As other have said - we now go into every game knowing we will give the opposition a game
Can anyone imagine PL using terms like "Cannot compete with them" & "They are one of the Elite clubs" its just not in his mentality
Has anyone noticed that TSM is not being linked to any vacancies at the moment - the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
This summarises my feelings exactly.
And mine
The one thing that gets football fans going through thick and thin is hope - last year that hope of anything other than yet another humiliating defeat was taken away
As other have said - we now go into every game knowing we will give the opposition a game
Can anyone imagine PL using terms like "Cannot compete with them" & "They are one of the Elite clubs" its just not in his mentality
Has anyone noticed that TSM is not being linked to any vacancies at the moment - the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
I know, Bolton and Blackburn haven't gone anywhere near him. And Bolton have been linked with McCarthy, ffs.
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
This summarises my feelings exactly.
And mine
The one thing that gets football fans going through thick and thin is hope - last year that hope of anything other than yet another humiliating defeat was taken away
As other have said - we now go into every game knowing we will give the opposition a game
Can anyone imagine PL using terms like "Cannot compete with them" & "They are one of the Elite clubs" its just not in his mentality
Has anyone noticed that TSM is not being linked to any vacancies at the moment - the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
I know, Bolton and Blackburn haven't gone anywhere near him. And Bolton have been linked with McCarthy, ffs.
McLeish has a very good record in the Championship.
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the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
The whole football world saw what he did with Birmingham City, twice, and Hibs, but it didn't stop Lerner and Faulkner employing him.
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They must have been the only two people in the world other than McLeish himself who believed that he didn't play boring football. I'll never forget the General's message "Imagine what he'll be able to do with Lerner's backing".
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the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
The whole football world saw what he did with Birmingham City, twice, and Hibs, but it didn't stop Lerner and Faulkner employing him.
For as long as I live i'll never ever understand that decision.
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the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
The whole football world saw what he did with Birmingham City, twice, and Hibs, but it didn't stop Lerner and Faulkner employing him.
For as long as I live i'll never ever understand that decision.
This. I have probably gone over it hundreds of times in my head trying to see it from every possible angle and I haven't come close to even coming up with a theory as to why he was chosen. I am now resigned to never knowing unless Randy or Faulker ever go public about why.
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I don't understand why they would have considered interviewing Mcleish let alone actually giving him the job. And worse than that they tried to dress it up as a a coup, saying we were getting one over on our neighbours.
They'd just been relegated and most of their fans were happy to see the back of him and excited at the prospect of how he could relegate our club, which he very nearly did.
Back on topic I'm pleased with the progress under PL and I'm sure the results will start matching the performances soon.
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Add me to the list of people who will never understand the logic in appointing McLeish.
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And me.
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The list would be rather long I think.
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Avec moi
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What baffled me most about the whole sorry affair was the way it went against everything Randy had built. His image of being in touch with the fans. The image of the club that was seen as a nice club that plays by the rules. Remember the Delph transfer? When we were praised by Bates for being the only club that dealt with Leeds in 100% the right way. How did we go from that to tapping up our fierciest rivals manager? From supposedly refusing Hughes because Randy wasn't impressed with the way he quit Fulham to hiring someone who resigns from the club that he just relegated by fax. Ahh! Hurts my brain just thinking about it!
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Can we get back t talking about Lambert...this is making me depressed.
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They must have been the only two people in the world other than McLeish himself who believed that he didn't play boring football. I'll never forget the General's message "Imagine what he'll be able to do with Lerner's backing".
I heard Faulkner being interviewed on WM shortly after McLeish was sacked. He said two things which made me thump the steering wheel (was driving at the time).
The first was "well, it's easy to say it was not going to work out with the benefit of hindsight". What a joke, there must have been three people in the world who thought it might have worked, Faulkner, Lerner and McLeish.
The second was, "Alex came here, and his record spoke for itself". Yes, it did, it said "don't go anywhere near me", his proven record of relegation and awful football at this level meant we should have gone nowhere near him.
Even now, looking back, I still can not believe we made that appointment. I don't think any Villa news has left me as gobsmacked as the news we were talking to him did.
I bet there's some funny stuff to look back at on this place from that time last year.
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They must have been the only two people in the world other than McLeish himself who believed that he didn't play boring football. I'll never forget the General's message "Imagine what he'll be able to do with Lerner's backing".
I heard Faulkner being interviewed on WM shortly after McLeish was sacked. He said two things which made me thump the steering wheel (was driving at the time).
The first was "well, it's easy to say it was not going to work out with the benefit of hindsight". What a joke, there must have been three people in the world who thought it might have worked, Faulkner, Lerner and McLeish.
The second was, "Alex came here, and his record spoke for itself". Yes, it did, it said "don't go anywhere near me", his proven record of relegation and awful football at this level meant we should have gone nowhere near him.
Even now, looking back, I still can not believe we made that appointment. I don't think any Villa news has left me as gobsmacked as the news we were talking to him did.
I bet there's some funny stuff to look back at on this place from that time last year.
The who will be manager thread is like a car crash. I've gone back a few times and re-read it, the posts as the realisation sinks in that it's for real make me want to stop reading but I can't.
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Here is some ITK dropping I didn't share with the outer world but hope he can corroborate for those who have taken a swing at me about this in the past.
I talked of the board flapping like a fish on a rod and told Paulie by PM that TSM was the new manager long before it was official.
On topic, Lambert will do just fine. Just let the man get on with it and don't shit yourself in the meantime.
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I like him and think he is just what we need, that does not mean that I am complacent about us stsying up.
He has inherited a squad of misfits and has to try to rebuild very quickly and we are still displaying the frailties of recent seasons, we look likely to concede and scoring does not come easily, add to that a very lightweight midfield.
This season is going to be a big struggle and I hope he can get us through to safety.
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This time last season you were waiting for it to go wrong. Now it's waiting for it to go right. That's the difference.
This summarises my feelings exactly.
And mine
The one thing that gets football fans going through thick and thin is hope - last year that hope of anything other than yet another humiliating defeat was taken away
As other have said - we now go into every game knowing we will give the opposition a game
Can anyone imagine PL using terms like "Cannot compete with them" & "They are one of the Elite clubs" its just not in his mentality
Has anyone noticed that TSM is not being linked to any vacancies at the moment - the whole football world saw what he did with Aston Villa and no one wants any of it
I know, Bolton and Blackburn haven't gone anywhere near him. And Bolton have been linked with McCarthy, ffs.
McLeish has a very good record in the Championship.
More like a very good record of getting premiership teams into the Championship !!!
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...
It could be an 'outside looking in' thing. Remember that under O'Neill, half of us on here who thought he was great were constantly at war with the other half who thought he was a one-dimensional tosser. And 100% of non-Villa fans still think the sun shines out of his arse and always will do.
I was talking to an Everton fan the other day who was of of the opinion that we are getting all we deserve after screwing O'Neill over.
Like being stood up on your wedding day and being told that you are an inconsiderate twat.
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We've had our ups and downs so far this season, but I still think that we haven't yet found a formation (especially in midfield) that we seem comfortable with. If we play narrow in midfield we don't have anyone in wide areas and if we push players out wide, we seem to get overrun in central midfield.
I know it is a blast from the past (particularly our past during the Little and Gregory eras), but a 3-5-2 formation might be worth considering, especially when Dunne comes back. Wigan did well when they used that formation at the end of last season and on paper, I think it would suit our current personnel. There have been questions regarding the defending of Lowton and Bennett, but they wouldn't have as much defensive responsibility if they were playing as wing-backs and had defensive cover behind them. We could play two holding midfielders (from El Ahmadi/Herd/Delph/Bannan) with an attacking midfielder in front of them (Holman or Ireland) and could still play with two up front. As for the back three, Dunne could play centrally with Vlaar and Clark / Baker either side of him.
Lambert should be familiar with that formation as Celtic used it when he played there and he himself used it at Norwich on occasions. I just think it could suit the players we have at the moment and might solve a few of the problems we are currently having. Another option could be to go 4-5-1, but I think that is a bit too negative.
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Wigan play 3-4-3.
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Wigan play 3-4-3.
On the couple of occasions I saw them on TV towards the end of last season (I haven't seen them play this season), Maloney was definitely playing behind two strikers, but my point wasn't really about Wigan. It was about our current personnel possibly being more suited to a 3-5-2 formation.
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I was talking to an Everton fan the other day who was of of the opinion that we are getting all we deserve after screwing O'Neill over.
I hope you set the record straight about who screwed who, Steve.
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With our current personel, we definitely need more players in midfield because we have got good enough players to play two CM's. So if we play a 4-3-3/4-5-1 or a 3-5-2, then we might compete better in the middle. The former would be my preferred option.
So far I'm quite happy that PL is the right man for the job. He's got a hell of a task to get us out of our losing mentality and form. As much as players are responding quite well to what he wants, we're still 1 win in 7 prem games this season. If we could have had 5 more points this season right now from playing fuck ugly hoof ball, I'd have taken it. Points are first and foremost. I do however think that the points will eventually come. Hopefully not too late though. It's a long term thing.
My worry is lack of quality. We've too many shit players, or players who aren't near the finished article. Lambert may have to break his ethos, and Lerner his purse open, and sign a quality, established player. Someone who's been there and done it. Particularly in a very weak midfield area. In all honesty, our midfield is bottom 6 standard. It's the most important area too. It can hinder you defence and your attack, and so far this is proving so.
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I talked of the board flapping like a fish on a rod and told Paulie by PM that TSM was the new manager long before it was official.
I read your PM, then reacted a bit like Hitler in that bit of Downfall.
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We've had our ups and downs so far this season, but I still think that we haven't yet found a formation (especially in midfield) that we seem comfortable with. If we play narrow in midfield we don't have anyone in wide areas and if we push players out wide, we seem to get overrun in central midfield.
I know it is a blast from the past (particularly our past during the Little and Gregory eras), but a 3-5-2 formation might be worth considering, especially when Dunne comes back. Wigan did well when they used that formation at the end of last season and on paper, I think it would suit our current personnel. There have been questions regarding the defending of Lowton and Bennett, but they wouldn't have as much defensive responsibility if they were playing as wing-backs and had defensive cover behind them. We could play two holding midfielders (from El Ahmadi/Herd/Delph/Bannan) with an attacking midfielder in front of them (Holman or Ireland) and could still play with two up front. As for the back three, Dunne could play centrally with Vlaar and Clark / Baker either side of him.
Lambert should be familiar with that formation as Celtic used it when he played there and he himself used it at Norwich on occasions. I just think it could suit the players we have at the moment and might solve a few of the problems we are currently having. Another option could be to go 4-5-1, but I think that is a bit too negative.
A lot of sense in that. I think Lowton and Bennett would revel in those roles, and as PL doesn't seem to favour playing with a lot of width across midfield anyway, I could see that being an option. Good to take a look at it as a formation option for certain games at least.
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/10/13/i-ask-martin-o-neill-for-advice-admits-aston-villa-manager-paul-lambert-97319-32021209/
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/10/13/i-ask-martin-o-neill-for-advice-admits-aston-villa-manager-paul-lambert-97319-32021209/
In other words, PL asks MON which players he recommendeds...then blacklists them so they never join our great club.
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/10/13/i-ask-martin-o-neill-for-advice-admits-aston-villa-manager-paul-lambert-97319-32021209/
MON's advice.
"Stop selecting your players on form, just pick 11 and keep playing them no matter what."
"Whats this buying players who earn less than 40 grand a week? Cut that out lad."
To be fair to him though, MON is a bloody brilliant motivator and probably does have some good advice on how to get the best from players.
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For all the changes, the key for Lambert is to get his most talented players integrated into defined roles in the side and playing - N'Zogbia and Ireland. He also needs Dunne at his best in the back four to give much needed experience.
We look a side with plenty of enthusiasm and commitment - can't fault that this season, but we lack quality and are not creating many chances. With a defence that is shaky at times, it's not a good combination.
Probably my take on this.
I'm relaxed about things. Of course I'd like more points on the board especially with the run of games we have coming up next month but I think this will be a season when we'll be much better in the second half of the season once Lambert's methods have been fully engrained.
Remember in O'dreary's first season we were bottom 3 at xmas and were top 6 by the end. I don't expect to finish that high but that's why I'm not panicking too much if things are looking a bit dodgy around that time. That and I reckon they'll be another 20m coming from Randy.
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Even as all round shit as the Houllier season was at times we finished 9th. We don't have the Ash and Downing servicing Bent off course, but we do have a far more settled club and Lambert does still have another transfer window this season. Lots will still happen and DW put it best, that we are just waiting for it to get better as opposed to last season where we knew it would all just fall to bits eventually.
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At least Lambert is trying to get us playing a better style of football and is at least bringing in players who are only likely to improve rather than players who are on the way down. I remain confident that we will be okay this season and then progress.
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
When Lambert only brings subs on after 75 minutes and falls out with most of his ridiculously expensive signings, then we will know that he has really listened to O'Neill.
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
When Lambert only brings subs on after 75 minutes and falls out with most of his ridiculously expensive signings, then we will know that he has really listened to O'Neill.
*cough* Darrent Bent *cough*
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
When Lambert only brings subs on after 75 minutes and falls out with most of his ridiculously expensive signings, then we will know that he has really listened to O'Neill.
*cough* Darrent Bent *cough*
His signings.
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Lambert calls O'Neil for advise...
When Lambert only brings subs on after 75 minutes and falls out with most of his ridiculously expensive signings, then we will know that he has really listened to O'Neill.
*cough* Darrent Bent *cough*
His signings.
My bad. *Feels a bit of a twat*
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*Feels a bit of a twat*
Too soon for a Jimmy Saville joke?
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*Feels a bit of a twat*
Too soon for a Jimmy Saville joke?
Ha!
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My worry is lack of quality. We've too many shit players, or players who aren't near the finished article. Lambert may have to break his ethos, and Lerner his purse open, and sign a quality, established player. Someone who's been there and done it. Particularly in a very weak midfield area. In all honesty, our midfield is bottom 6 standard. It's the most important area too. It can hinder you defence and your attack, and so far this is proving so.
I take your point regarding the midfield getting overrun at times. But part of this must be down to all the new faces getting to know each other more. As for the whole Lerner and his purse thing - it's bollocks frankly - only an Oligarch like Abramovich or an Oil Prince could sustain the losses Villa have made over the last 3 years and not do something about it.
As for quality established players - wouldn't Holman, El Ahmadi, and Vlaar fit that bill?
And ok - yes we have signed young hungry talent like Lowton, Bennett, Westwood, and Benteke - but I see balance in that policy.
We've got the right man in the managers office finally - and while it may take him some time - I think our results will improve as the squad adapt to his ways - and to each other. And if we do sell Darren - that frees up an awful lot of wage space to sign up two or three of Europe's hot prospects. Not Christiano Ronaldo obviously, but I'll take Lambert's choices over the 'established' likes of Reo-Coker, C Davies, and Habib Beye, anyday.
Keep the faith.
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Anybody else see this? www.astonvilla-views.com/2012/10/14/the-loss-of-bent-the-loss-of-premier-league/
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Anybody else see this? www.astonvilla-views.com/2012/10/14/the-loss-of-bent-the-loss-of-premier-league/
Ah, Terry Jones. Bless.
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Attention-seekers like that are best ignored.
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Anybody else see this? www.astonvilla-views.com/2012/10/14/the-loss-of-bent-the-loss-of-premier-league/
Ah, Terry Jones. Bless.
The Quran burning pastor? Well it was equally doomsday-ish I suppose.
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i wonder if we would be better or worse off at this stage if we had appointed OGS? i'm not suggesting by that that i don't think PL is up to the job by the way
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i wonder if we would be better or worse off at this stage if we had appointed OGS? i'm not suggesting by that that i don't think PL is up to the job by the way
As far as I have read I think you're the first person to call it. Fair play to you, although I can't see what evidence you're basing this on. With regards to OGS, I hope he takes one of the Blackburn or Bolton vacancies as I'd like to see what we almost had.
Personally I am happy with Lambert. Everything he has done to me suggests he is the right man for managing a club that has a limited budget but is looking to grow.
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i wonder if we would be better or worse off at this stage if we had appointed OGS?
If progress was measured in column inches then 'yes'.
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It would have been fascinating to see how OGS would have done. Especially in his transfer dealings and the way he set up the team. When it looked like he was to become our manager I must say that I was more excited then I had been for ages as OGS would have represented the most left field managerial choice made by the the club for ages (if we discount TSM who was left field for all the wrong reasons). At the time PL seemed like the more obvious (and thus slightly boring) appointment. I would still be slightly pissed if OGS were to take one of the Bolton/Blackburn jobs seeing how he said he didn't want to relocate his family only a few months ago.
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can i just say i was merely playing devil's advocate. I'm not against PL at all and I'm fat from convinced OGS would have put any more points on the board, i just like speculating on what if's especially as his name has now been linked to other eEnglish clubs. I have to say though that I would be faintly pissed off if he turned us down only to pitch up in the Championship.
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can i just say i was merely playing devil's advocate. I'm not against PL at all and I'm fat from convinced OGS would have put any more points on the board, i just like speculating on what if's especially as his name has now been linked to other eEnglish clubs. I have to say though that I would be faintly pissed off if he turned us down only to pitch up in the Championship.
I think with OGS the truth was pretty much as was reported. The noise coming out if Villa was that he was one of a number of managers being looked at. The sudden press speculation and the conduct of their chairman effectively put him in a position of 'resign' or 'stay' and there was no guarantee of the Villa job at the end of it if he had he quit from Molde.
Therefore good luck to him if he ends up in the Championship, I do not see it that he would have rejected us and chosen them, the circumstances are completely different. That just my opinion by the way, not based on any special information.
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I think - in fact I'm pretty sure - that the job was his for the asking. The Molde chairman got to him, basically saying that if he left their sponsor would pull out, the club would go bust, the town and surrounding region would come to a grinding halt, the Norwegian economy would collapse, the government would fall, there would be riots on the streets and it would be ALL his fault. I also think we got caught up in the idea that the new Clough was arriving and what ultimately happened turned out for the best.
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My worry is lack of quality. We've too many shit players, or players who aren't near the finished article. Lambert may have to break his ethos, and Lerner his purse open, and sign a quality, established player. Someone who's been there and done it. Particularly in a very weak midfield area. In all honesty, our midfield is bottom 6 standard. It's the most important area too. It can hinder you defence and your attack, and so far this is proving so.
I take your point regarding the midfield getting overrun at times. But part of this must be down to all the new faces getting to know each other more. As for the whole Lerner and his purse thing - it's bollocks frankly - only an Oligarch like Abramovich or an Oil Prince could sustain the losses Villa have made over the last 3 years and not do something about it.
As for quality established players - wouldn't Holman, El Ahmadi, and Vlaar fit that bill?
And ok - yes we have signed young hungry talent like Lowton, Bennett, Westwood, and Benteke - but I see balance in that policy.
We've got the right man in the managers office finally - and while it may take him some time - I think our results will improve as the squad adapt to his ways - and to each other. And if we do sell Darren - that frees up an awful lot of wage space to sign up two or three of Europe's hot prospects. Not Christiano Ronaldo obviously, but I'll take Lambert's choices over the 'established' likes of Reo-Coker, C Davies, and Habib Beye, anyday.
Keep the faith.
I worry about the midfield too. But is ours actually worse than say:
Fulham: duff, sidwell, Baird, Richardson
Sunderland: Johnson, McLean, cattermole,Larsson
Stoke: etherington, Kighty, Adam, nzonzi
West ham: Nolan, diame, Noble, Jarvis
There's probably 2/3 players there that we could have signed without being greeted by moans of frustration from fans
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Maybe Solskjaer just really, really likes chicken
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My worry is lack of quality. We've too many shit players, or players who aren't near the finished article. Lambert may have to break his ethos, and Lerner his purse open, and sign a quality, established player. Someone who's been there and done it. Particularly in a very weak midfield area. In all honesty, our midfield is bottom 6 standard. It's the most important area too. It can hinder you defence and your attack, and so far this is proving so.
I take your point regarding the midfield getting overrun at times. But part of this must be down to all the new faces getting to know each other more. As for the whole Lerner and his purse thing - it's bollocks frankly - only an Oligarch like Abramovich or an Oil Prince could sustain the losses Villa have made over the last 3 years and not do something about it.
As for quality established players - wouldn't Holman, El Ahmadi, and Vlaar fit that bill?
And ok - yes we have signed young hungry talent like Lowton, Bennett, Westwood, and Benteke - but I see balance in that policy.
We've got the right man in the managers office finally - and while it may take him some time - I think our results will improve as the squad adapt to his ways - and to each other. And if we do sell Darren - that frees up an awful lot of wage space to sign up two or three of Europe's hot prospects. Not Christiano Ronaldo obviously, but I'll take Lambert's choices over the 'established' likes of Reo-Coker, C Davies, and Habib Beye, anyday.
Keep the faith.
I worry about the midfield too. But is ours actually worse than say:
Fulham: duff, sidwell, Baird, Richardson
Sunderland: Johnson, McLean, cattermole,Larsson
Stoke: etherington, Kighty, Adam, nzonzi
West ham: Nolan, diame, Noble, Jarvis
There's probably 2/3 players there that we could have signed without being greeted by moans of frustration from fans
Some of those midfields are pretty ordinary, but there's at a rough guess at least 200 prem games of experience in each one and far more in some. That counts towards something in some games. Potentially we've players who can make for a midfield better than any of those, but that said right now we're behind those teams. Some of those players aren't great but are solid prem players. Reliable. Something sadly, I just don't think Delph or Bannan will ever be. Kevin Nolan will get the hammers at least 10 goals this season from midfield. If their front men chip in too, those goals will keep them up comfortably. At Fulham, Duffs been around donkeys years. He's not brilliant but you know what you get from him, he'll chip in and he'll bust a gut. Again, Albrighton won't come close to being the winger Duff is. Damian Duff. I think that says it all about where we're at right now.
KEA has promise. Westwood could go either way. I think we need a known qauntity and finished article in the middle who knows what they're doing. My worry with PL is that his ethos goes against that. We'll see but if we don't sort the midfield out, and IMO, that needs new faces because we're short on not just experience but also quality, we could go down. The longer we go and can't win the harder it'll be to break the cycle.
But unfortunately, all those midfields are more effective premier league midfields than ours right now. In a year or two? Ours will be a lot better. In a year we could be in the Championship though and there-in lies the problem. Mr Rock, let me introduce you to Mr Hard place.