Who do you want as the next manager? New poll option.

[James]

Carlos Queroz(sp)?

He'd probably come with a letter from Fergie too!

[PeterWithesShin]

Carlos Queroz(sp)?

He'd probably come with a letter from Fergie too!

Unlike Randy who comes when he gets a letter from Fergie.



I'm sorry. I'm so ashamed to have posted that but it was such an open goal even Ronnie Rosenthal would have buried it.

[Monty]

The thing is that the football style really does need a massive, drastic overhaul. Revolution not evolution, I say. For that reason, I would actually pass over Lambert unless he displayed a willingness to adapt his style to one which is less limited (I still have high ambitions for the Villa even if the board don't). For all his undouted achievements this season, Lambert looks quite like MON in many ways: uninspiring individuals made to work together to be greater than the sum of their parts, often quite functional 4-4-2 systems based around the prolific and physical striker Grant Holt.

In his favour, however, he has bested MON when it comes to the use of different tactical systems, often changing radically during a match (something which, as we all know, MON was never likely to do) - going to three at the back to counter a 4-4-2 is a particular favourite of his, often to great effect. The fact that he has played abroad (he describes Hitzfeld at Dortmund as, along with MON, his greatest influence) means that he may not have that Brito-centric myopia which so limited MON's transfer ability. However, he has not shown these yet so, though he hasn't really had the chance to, I'd still be hesitant about his appointment unless he had a very practical, all-embracing plan to modernise the club.

[Lowendbehold]

Whether I wanted either of them or not, this week if I were Randy I would ring Lambert and Hodgson's agents and offer them both the Villa job, starting at the end of the season.  I would tell them they would have £40m + whatever they raised from sales.

We shouldn't approach another manager while we already have one in the job.  By all means start thinking of a replacement, but official moves should wait until the present man goes. 

Very principled, but it would get us nowhere.  But the point of what I said was missed.  We have to play WBA and Norwich.  My tongue was firmly in my cheek.

[Lowendbehold]

Well, just to speculate;
If we stay up, QPR will be favorite to go down with Blackburn.  So Hughes?  Lerner supposidly didn't want him because of his relationship with the Fulham Chairman.
Lambert? He must be thinking he has taken Norwich as far as he can and said the usual weasel words when asked about the Villa job in his press conference.  Didn't say no.
Bruce?  God no, not after McLeish, surely the lesson would be learned.
Curbishly?  Was interviewed twice when Houllier was selected.  Why did he turn down Wolves, wouldn't be popular, lesson learnt like Bruce?
Rodgers? Just signed a new contract, would be expensive and linked to Spurs.  Could be good though and I think would be well accepted by the fans.
Martinez, well he's done his year!!
Moyes? Would he be any better off than he is?  Better the devil you know than fall out with the Villa fans after his usual bad start?
Plus anyone else who gets sacked!

[john e]

The thing is that the football style really does need a massive, drastic overhaul. Revolution not evolution, I say. For that reason, I would actually pass over Lambert unless he displayed a willingness to adapt his style to one which is less limited (I still have high ambitions for the Villa even if the board don't). For all his undouted achievements this season, Lambert looks quite like MON in many ways: uninspiring individuals made to work together to be greater than the sum of their parts, often quite functional 4-4-2 systems based around the prolific and physical striker Grant Holt.

In his favour, however, he has bested MON when it comes to the use of different tactical systems, often changing radically during a match (something which, as we all know, MON was never likely to do) - going to three at the back to counter a 4-4-2 is a particular favourite of his, often to great effect. The fact that he has played abroad (he describes Hitzfeld at Dortmund as, along with MON, his greatest influence) means that he may not have that Brito-centric myopia which so limited MON's transfer ability. However, he has not shown these yet so, though he hasn't really had the chance to, I'd still be hesitant about his appointment unless he had a very practical, all-embracing plan to modernise the club.

i agree,
although i dont really think Lamberts footballing style is a defined as MON's yet, i didnt realise he said that stuff about his influence on him either, so thats a bit of a worry to be honest.
its really no good putting someone in the job then hoping he changes or tones down certain areas of his coaching, they always revert to type, always,
 the only one who completly changed from hoof ball to pass the ball on the ground is Ian Holloway, and he had to go through some sort of 'damascus conversion' for him to get there

having said that its difficult to know exactly what Lamberts type is, i havent seen enough of Norwich to judge, and what i have seen has been very good, i remember them at Old Trafford this season, they lost but played Man Utd of the park,

so he wouldnt be my first choice, i think Martinez is still that for me, purely on the fact that you know exactly the sort of football he will bring to Villa Park,
but i wouldnt be to upset if it was Lambert, i think we could be good together

[Monty]

Or perhaps someone from abroad, to really shake up the club, Robin Dutt maybe, a slightly younger manager from a more enlightened football country with the ambition to shake something up.

John, I think Martinez would be my overall choice as well. However, it is to Lambert's credit that he's shown an ability to tactically adapt, so if he wants to come - and there's absolutely no guarantee of that - he may well be worth a go.

[john e]

Or perhaps someone from abroad, to really shake up the club, Robin Dutt maybe, a slightly younger manager from a more enlightened football country with the ambition to shake something up.

John, I think Martinez would be my overall choice as well. However, it is to Lambert's credit that he's shown an ability to tactically adapt, so if he wants to come - and there's absolutely no guarantee of that - he may well be worth a go.

i think we are singing of the same page Monty,
but we dont get to make the decision, i just hope Randy and the board have leant from there mistakes the last time and bring someone in who can be positive, and have a clear direction and plan, even if it takes a while, thats all i ask

[Monty]

i think we are singing of the same page Monty,
but we dont get to make the decision, i just hope Randy and the board have leant from there mistakes the last time and bring someone in who can be positive, and have a clear direction and plan, even if it takes a while, thats all i ask

To quote Charlie Nicholas on Only an Excuse, we're singin' aff the same broadsheet. If you have a spare £100m I'd be willing to help front a consortium for a buyout. I'd work for free as well.

[mr woo]

A few seasons back, Paul Lambert took Colchester to Norwich on the first day of the season, won 7-1, left Colchester and joined Norwich a week later, then took the Canaries to Colchester for the return fixture 5 months later and won that one 5-0.

There's got to be something about the guy to be able to do that.

Ideally, you'd want to see how he gets on in that 'difficult second season' but if there are no other stand out, proven, big time guys who fancy the job (as per last year) then I think he's worth a try. Would he come ? Of course, Villa is a bigger job than Norwich, regardless of the division we're in. Even better if you could get someone like GT or BFR on the board to lend advice (not necessarily to the manager).

[supertom]

I like Lambert. He plays a good mix of footy at Norwich. They can play on the deck well enough, and he also knows how to go direct effectively if he has to. If we got him over with a couple of his players perhaps, like Grant Holt (excellent foil for Benty), then brilliant.

It'll be tough for us to tempt a decent foreign coach to us. As for domestic, we could well tempt one of the younger guys like Lambert or Rodgers. Maybe Martinez at the second bite, though he'd be my third choice from that list. Still, I do believe Martinez would turn us into a reasonably entertaining and safe mid-table club. Right now, that'd do me.

Moyes has done a brilliant job at Everton. I'd love him to come but I doubt it. He won't leave the Toffees for anything less than a big club challenge. Probably got his eyes on Fergies job. But yeah, to keep Everton consistently where they are is amazing given his budget. What a buy Jelavic has been too. Moyes would be my ideal choice for our club and fit in well, but it won't happen sadly.

[Summers]

Lambert's comments today - to me - hint that he's interested but not willing to talk about it yet.

That excites me massively.

[Chipsticks]

Lambert's comments today - to me - hint that he's interested but not willing to talk about it yet.

That excites me massively.

Exact same for me.

[john e]

i think we are singing of the same page Monty,
but we dont get to make the decision, i just hope Randy and the board have leant from there mistakes the last time and bring someone in who can be positive, and have a clear direction and plan, even if it takes a while, thats all i ask

To quote Charlie Nicholas on Only an Excuse, we're singin' aff the same broadsheet. If you have a spare £100m I'd be willing to help front a consortium for a buyout. I'd work for free as well.

problem is we would have a team playing snob football,
we would think its great,seeing all the pretty patterns and changes in formations to suit requirments, the great technique of the players, and the artistry of players running of the ball

but we wouldnt win anything

[Legion]

We might win more matches.