Lambert Out?

[JPartington]

I think one thing that cannot be underestimated is the hangover from the second half of last season, where, in main down to McLeish entirely losing the plot (and refusing to play midfielders), we were utterly uncapable of stringing two passes together, let alone garner a victory.

The team has suffered from not having enough points on the board from the first 7 or 8 games this season which were against relatively ‘weak’ teams. We were playing ok, but were not quite managing to win games, probably due to the chronic self-doubt throughout the squad from that hangover. Winning, and losing, can become a habit (ask West Brom!). As the fixture list stiffened, points obviously remained hard to come by.

The fact we had managed 2 wins in about 8 months, but now 2 in 5 games (also taking account of who we were playing in the three games we didn't win) shows that Lambert and the team are capable of picking up enough victories to move us way from our current uncomfortable position.

I like Lambert. The calibre and sustainability of his signings, all plucked from relative obscurity, is impressive. All are technically gifted, and represent great value for money. I'm looking forward to a bright (and sustainable!) future with him at the helm.

[pauliewalnuts]

In my opinion, considering what he has to work with, and the money he's had to spend, We should be better off than bottom 3.

Is that harsh ?

I don't know if it's harsh, that's one we have to decide for ourselves, I guess, but I do think that he hasn't actually got a lot to work with.

Look at the squad, it's pretty clear it is one of the least impressive of the league. It's a result of a gradual whittling away of the quality over the last two or three years. We're suffering a few injuries at the moment, but last night's side was basically a bunch of 21 year olds playing together in the top flight.

It doesn't really take much injury bad luck to cause us problems with the squad depth.

What i will say is that although it is early days Lambert's additions have been largely positive and forward thinking. Benteke looks a steal, and is only 21 years old, for example.

Where this season compares favourably to last season was last time round, we had a manager who had a mindset which was determinedly negative, and beyond defending, seemed to have no idea of what to do tactically.

Lambert is getting the same poor results as he did so far, but it's not for wont of trying - he's trying to get us to play good football. In terms of points, it isn't delivering so far, but I find it hard to believe anyone would say there aren't signs of it in spells already this season. McLeish was just doing what McLeish does, and there was a distinct limit to how much that was ever going to improve.

The club needs to back Lambert in January, so he can get some experience in. We need to stick behind him and give him a chance. We all spent almost the entirety of last season and the one before saying how piss poor we were, and we were right. When you're that bad, it isn't going to get turned around overnight.

Let's give the bloke a decent chance at it.

[Ger Regan]

Let's give the bloke a decent chance at it.

That's it for me, too. If we're still bottom 4 by the end of the season, it'll be very disappointing. I don't think we will be, and am more than willing to give him the time to truly make this squad (note, not just team) his.

[ozzjim]

The difficult thing was, despite having good money to spend this summer, we had to spread that on 9 players just to have a squad this season. As such Lambert worked miracles to get in a group of which 5 of them are arguably our best players in Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Westwood and Benteke. Holman is not far behind.

If KEA and Bennett adapt they could both be key too.

The joy is that we now know that he is very shrewd when buying a player, and clearly had a system in mind with his purchases. If we can get 3 experienced players from somewhere in January I think we will be fine this season, and end up winning more games at VP than we have in a long while. 

[Phil from the upper holte]

Me personally im 110% behind Lambert after 3 shit managers we need to just get behind the man

[VillaAlways]

I think we will be fine this season, and end up winning more games at VP than we have in a long while. 

Wenger said in his post match conference that not many teams will come to Villa Park and win and got the piss taken out of him for it by the idiots on Talk Sport.I'm beginning to think he's right

[PeterWithesShin]

It's also worth remembering that yet again our injury curse has struck and have 7 players out (including Stan) which could be up to 8 depending on Stevens. 9 if you include Bent *stirs pot* When those come back the squad will obviously be a lot stronger.

[Irish villain]

Let's give the bloke a decent chance at it.

That's it for me, too. If we're still bottom 4 by the end of the season, it'll be very disappointing. I don't think we will be, and am more than willing to give him the time to truly make this squad (note, not just team) his.

I think many fans have underestimated how bad things really were last season. A 'losing mentality' took root at Villa about last January/February and we are finally comingout of it. As I said last night, the Reading game was one we would have either lost or only got a point from circa February to May. Confidence is beginning to grow and that in itself will help our performances. We were so brittle (fans and players alike) throughout 2012 that we feared losing so much we couldn't win.

We are making progress.

[pauliewalnuts]

Me personally im 110% behind Lambert after 3 shit managers we need to just get behind the man

Three shit managers?

I'm far from MON's biggest fan, but I'd never describe him as shit. "A shit", yes, but "shit", no.

[Legion]

Same here. I also don't think Houllier was 'shit', either.

[saunders_heroes]

Let's give the bloke a decent chance at it.

That's it for me, too. If we're still bottom 4 by the end of the season, it'll be very disappointing. I don't think we will be, and am more than willing to give him the time to truly make this squad (note, not just team) his.

I think many fans have underestimated how bad things really were last season. A 'losing mentality' took root at Villa about last January/February and we are finally comingout of it. As I said last night, the Reading game was one we would have either lost or only got a point from circa February to May. Confidence is beginning to grow and that in itself will help our performances. We were so brittle (fans and players alike) throughout 2012 that we feared losing so much we couldn't win.

We are making progress.

Is that a round about way of blaming McLeish for how shit we've been this season? Oh come on!
The reason we're shite is because Lerner in his wisdom decided to sell practically all the best players and replace them with infererior ones, nothing to do with the previous manager. We're doing things on the cheap now, and having a poorer team is one of the consequences.

[Irish villain]

Let's give the bloke a decent chance at it.

That's it for me, too. If we're still bottom 4 by the end of the season, it'll be very disappointing. I don't think we will be, and am more than willing to give him the time to truly make this squad (note, not just team) his.

I think many fans have underestimated how bad things really were last season. A 'losing mentality' took root at Villa about last January/February and we are finally comingout of it. As I said last night, the Reading game was one we would have either lost or only got a point from circa February to May. Confidence is beginning to grow and that in itself will help our performances. We were so brittle (fans and players alike) throughout 2012 that we feared losing so much we couldn't win.

We are making progress.

Is that a round about way of blaming McLeish for how shit we've been this season? Oh come on!
The reason we're shite is because Lerner in his wisdom decided to sell practically all the best players and replace them with infererior ones, nothing to do with the previous manager. We're doing things on the cheap now, and having a poorer team is one of the consequences.

No I wasn't, I blame a combination of MON, Lerner, Houllier  McLeish  for our overall decline position. I wouldn't pin anything on one individual with Lerner shouldering most responsibility but do think we are turning the corner.

[Ian.]

I must admit I have not seen a lot of our games this season after a new arrival and 3 other kids, so I have no real idea where the problems are lying so I can not comment too much. Obviously a lack of quality and depth must be partly to blame. Confidence and the belief in winning must be a problem after the last couple of seasons.
After Lambert's previous managerial jobs I'm sure he can turn it around, he has proved to be a good manager. We need to stick with it and give him the time to turn things around.

[paulcomben]

I must admit I have not seen a lot of our games this season after a new arrival and 3 other kids, so I have no real idea where the problems are lying so I can not comment too much. Obviously a lack of quality and depth must be partly to blame. Confidence and the belief in winning must be a problem after the last couple of seasons.
After Lambert's previous managerial jobs I'm sure he can turn it around, he has proved to be a good manager. We need to stick with it and give him the time to turn things around.

Any chance that you are simply repeating what you say to your fertile but hormonal spouse?

[danlanza]

I am sure i saw Lambert smile ( or smirk at least) at the post match press conference last night. Nice.
I hope he is smiling after Saturdays game.