Things I've heard on here this season

[pauliewalnuts]

Third game of the season was Newcastle away, where we looked very good and should have won.  I think from there you could see what he was trying to create, so due to numerous factors (age of the squad, number of new signings, short time to work with the new manager) it was only right to be patient and give them time to get it right.

I thought you could see it from the first game of the season, West Ham away. We lost, but you could definitely see the change in the style of play, and see what he wanted us to do (even if we didn't do it for much of the match)

[Concrete John]

Third game of the season was Newcastle away, where we looked very good and should have won.  I think from there you could see what he was trying to create, so due to numerous factors (age of the squad, number of new signings, short time to work with the new manager) it was only right to be patient and give them time to get it right.

I thought you could see it from the first game of the season, West Ham away. We lost, but you could definitely see the change in the style of play, and see what he wanted us to do (even if we didn't do it for much of the match)

Yes, we passed the ball, but we didn't look all that impressive doing it and didn't really threaten their goal much.  Passing isn't in and of itself anything to be shouting about, but is a means to an end, which we only started to see at Newcastle, IMO. 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think a lot, if not all the credit should go to Lambert's assistant, Ian Culverhouse.
Listening to Lambert's post match interview on Saturday night, I'd imagine that apart from Glasgow born, Barry Bannan, not a single Villa player understands a word he says.

Saying that, when I do manage to understand a word or two, I really like the bloke.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think when you factor in how bad we were last season and the large influx of new, unproven players, Lambert's done great. I'd like to see our stats with the cup run included, pretty impressive I'd say.

[Chris Smith]

Third game of the season was Newcastle away, where we looked very good and should have won.  I think from there you could see what he was trying to create, so due to numerous factors (age of the squad, number of new signings, short time to work with the new manager) it was only right to be patient and give them time to get it right.

I thought you could see it from the first game of the season, West Ham away. We lost, but you could definitely see the change in the style of play, and see what he wanted us to do (even if we didn't do it for much of the match)

Yes, we passed the ball, but we didn't look all that impressive doing it and didn't really threaten their goal much.  Passing isn't in and of itself anything to be shouting about, but is a means to an end, which we only started to see at Newcastle, IMO. 

I think it's about developing good habits. Most of the decent sides are able to keep the ball for long periods and probe for openings, with most tackles being outlawed these days the chances of winning it back quickly and catching the opposition out of position are much reduced. So a more patient approach is required, something a lot of fans aren't comfortable with but are going to have to get used to.

[Eugene Fraxby]

In the short term there'll be some dizzying highs, terriying lows and creamy middles but as a general long-term trend we're surely only gonna get better.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think it's about developing good habits. Most of the decent sides are able to keep the ball for long periods and probe for openings, with most tackles being outlawed these days the chances of winning it back quickly and catching the opposition out of position are much reduced. So a more patient approach is required, something a lot of fans aren't comfortable with but are going to have to get used to.

Welcome to the 21st century, Tony. I knew we'd get you here eventually.

[pauliewalnuts]

Third game of the season was Newcastle away, where we looked very good and should have won.  I think from there you could see what he was trying to create, so due to numerous factors (age of the squad, number of new signings, short time to work with the new manager) it was only right to be patient and give them time to get it right.

I thought you could see it from the first game of the season, West Ham away. We lost, but you could definitely see the change in the style of play, and see what he wanted us to do (even if we didn't do it for much of the match)

Yes, we passed the ball, but we didn't look all that impressive doing it and didn't really threaten their goal much.  Passing isn't in and of itself anything to be shouting about, but is a means to an end, which we only started to see at Newcastle, IMO. 

Hmm, well you did say "what he was trying to create" rather then more evidence of us actually doing it.

IIRC the first half hour or so we had phenomenal ball possession percentages.

[paul_e]

West ham and Everton we looked 'undercooked', as if the season just started a little too early for the changes PL wanted to make to really bed in.  Since then we've looked pretty good on the whole other than a couple of poor 2nd halves.

[Chris Smith]

I think it's about developing good habits. Most of the decent sides are able to keep the ball for long periods and probe for openings, with most tackles being outlawed these days the chances of winning it back quickly and catching the opposition out of position are much reduced. So a more patient approach is required, something a lot of fans aren't comfortable with but are going to have to get used to.

Welcome to the 21st century, Tony. I knew we'd get you here eventually.

Oh, ha ha Vivian.

Seriously though, it's more noticeable this season than ever that games are being refereed differently. It does take some of the excitement out of the game, as we've reached a stage where 'some' players think it's an affront to be tackled and flounce about accordingly, but that's the way it's going so we have to adapt. The exception to the rule obviously being Stoke who seem to have some sort of special dispensation to do what the fuck they like.

[paul_e]

I think it's about developing good habits. Most of the decent sides are able to keep the ball for long periods and probe for openings, with most tackles being outlawed these days the chances of winning it back quickly and catching the opposition out of position are much reduced. So a more patient approach is required, something a lot of fans aren't comfortable with but are going to have to get used to.

Welcome to the 21st century, Tony. I knew we'd get you here eventually.

Oh, ha ha Vivian.

Seriously though, it's more noticeable this season than ever that games are being refereed differently. It does take some of the excitement out of the game, as we've reached a stage where 'some' players think it's an affront to be tackled and flounce about accordingly, but that's the way it's going so we have to adapt. The exception to the rule obviously being Stoke who seem to have some sort of special dispensation to do what the fuck they like.

Defending is now much more about controlling where the opposition play and forcing errors, it's probably better as it allows for a much faster game than before, and it puts more emphasis on technique rather than physique, English football has been behind in this regard for years.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think it's about developing good habits. Most of the decent sides are able to keep the ball for long periods and probe for openings, with most tackles being outlawed these days the chances of winning it back quickly and catching the opposition out of position are much reduced. So a more patient approach is required, something a lot of fans aren't comfortable with but are going to have to get used to.

Welcome to the 21st century, Tony. I knew we'd get you here eventually.

Oh, ha ha Vivian.

Seriously though, it's more noticeable this season than ever that games are being refereed differently. It does take some of the excitement out of the game, as we've reached a stage where 'some' players think it's an affront to be tackled and flounce about accordingly, but that's the way it's going so we have to adapt. The exception to the rule obviously being Stoke who seem to have some sort of special dispensation to do what the fuck they like.

Defending is now much more about controlling where the opposition play and forcing errors, it's probably better as it allows for a much faster game than before, and it puts more emphasis on technique rather than physique, English football has been behind in this regard for years.

One thing that Lambert & Co have our players doing is playing like it's an honour to put on the Villa shirt. We must be the hardest working team in the Premier League. There's something very old school about the honesty of this current Villa side, very 1970's. Thankfully the football is bang up to date. I can't stop thinking about how this season reminds me of 74/75, we're building something special, it may take a bit of time but you just know we're on the right track.

[godzvilla]

So fucking what? If we were all scared to say what we think because some anal clown* was going to drag it up months later nothing would ever get posted except sitting on the fence.

And I say that as someone who hasn't made a fool of myself for hours.
*No offence like.

" So fucking what? If we were all scared to say what we think because some anal clown* etc etc ".....Good to see one our esteemed ' Player-Manager,s  " lifting the standard of debate on here .......of course the ' sort of ' apology makes it all alright then (? ) .................Godzvilla!

[Percy McCarthy]

All I'm saying is people shouldn't be afraid to be forthright in their views or we'd have nothing to argue or take the piss about.

Again, apologies to the easily offended.

[PeterWithesShin]

All I'm saying is people shouldn't be afraid to be forthright in their views or we'd have nothing to srgue or take the piss about.

Again, apologies to the easily offended.

I agree and disagree with that.