Initial impressions under PL

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

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 .......

[FiveKenMcNaughts]

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

[dave.woodhall]

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.

[curiousorange]

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.

[Ducksworthy]

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...

[Aston Villa]

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.

[bilsim]

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

[curiousorange]

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.

[Aston Villa]

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.

[Steve R]

...
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.

[ciggiesnbeer]

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.

[dave.woodhall]

...
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.

[Hookeysmith]

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

[curiousorange]

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.

[PaulTheVillan]

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.