Lambert in or out? Poll reset with majority 'in', 7th May

[claretandbeer]

-Gardner (would be our best midfielder but for injuries

Based on what?

A handful of appearances?

If we were considering such an untried kid to be our best midfielder, it'd show just how much shit we were in.

It's delusion. He's just another in a long line of young Villa kids who never amount to much. We keep talking up our youth system when in reality they're really just average. I think Lerner fell for it big time and felt we were churning out out great players through a youth academy akin to Ajax. How wrong he was.

I have started to think along these lines now as well, I keep hearing how good these players will be that are coming through, in reality as you say they are just very average players.  I think the academy is very good at what it does but how many players who have come through recently can we actually say are good top flight players, I can't think of many.

We sold Cahill,Ridgewell,Whittingham and Gardner who would have improved the team today.The problem has been the huge waste of money on bringing in players.
Given,Makoun,Hutton,Warnock,Ireland,Delph,Davies ,Nzogbia ,Dunne and Bent adds up to £75-80m and a probable loss of £50m plus.All bought by former managers and financed by the board. We have spent very badly.

[saunders_heroes]

Sack Lambert and get Roy Keane in?

I am struggling to think of a more stupid idea.

As Player-Manager?

That's genuinely the only way the idea could get any more fucking stupid.

Honestly, Risso, what's wrong with you? Have you gone mental or something? I used to think your Allardyce thing was mental enough, but Roy Keane, FFS?

I reckon Rissbert adopts the Adrian Durham/TalkSport attitude to things. Lets says something thats mental bollox and gets people riled so they ring in to the station and keep listening. Mr Woodall is probably paying him to say stuff so people stay online at H & V. I'm sure he doesn't really believe it. 

Fans have called for managers heads for a lot less than Lambert's results this season.

Yeah, it's the "maybe Roy Keane" thing that swings it.

Very true.

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Cheap and hungry are terms that doesn't mean a great deal. Quality is key, with the right physical attributes.

[The Situation]

Lambert actually is a man who makes me believe in his vision and what he wants to achieve. There is just something about him that instills positivism into the club. I have a lot more confidence in him than I ever had in mcleish.

We were all thrilled when we got him as manager in the summer and rightly so. its a bit silly to throw your toys out the pram when it gets bad. we need to be patient and accept where we are for the moment hoping to progress. it doesn't happen over night, its going to take time. we have a lot of rebuilding to do.

last 3 games have been a disgrace but we can't dwell on that bad, the only way we can move is to move forward.

Totally agree.Vlaar,Benteke,Lowton  and Westwood good signings and I think Bennett will prove to be as well.Lambert also resigned Guzan.Nearly everybody wanted Collins,Warnock,Hutton and Dunne out which was half of TSMs side.
Lambert's main error was to trust in KEA.
If we get rid of Lambert it will be to our detriment and some other club's benefit.

its not just the astute buys he's made its also how he's transformed players who were fringe squad players into regular starters who deserve their place in the team. I've really enjoyed watching Weimann so far, he's a really clinical finisher in front of goal. Holman has worked his ass off and his work rate helps an inexperienced midfield. Baker and Stevens have looked quite solid at the back for the most part. Guzan has been more reliable compared to Given.

The problem is that Risso is looking at things short term and his emotion is getting the better of him. Already Lambert has done quite a lot of work already getting his stamp of authority in.working things how he wants it done his way. He knows what he wants and isnt afraid of what others might think. We need to look at the bigger picture and long term strategy. I know it sounds strange after today but I'm not devastated like a few on here. OK maybe I thought we wouldn't be where we are in the league now at the start of the season, but I keep telling myself the circumstances of this season and its not how you start its how you finish. I'm prepared to give Lambert much more of a chance than someone like mcleish because the difference is I believe in Lambert and what he's trying to do, I never believed in mcleish - he was the least inspiring Villa manager for me.

[pauliewalnuts]

Cheap and hungry are terms that doesn't mean a great deal. Quality is key, with the right physical attributes.

I don't know about that, really.

Some of the players he's brought in have enough quality and the right physical attributes. The problem is, there aren't any steady, seen-it-before heads there to calm the ship.

I said after Chelsea that the biggest challenge would be to manage to lift the young players after a trouncing like that. Spurs showed that, whatever it was, it didn't work. Today was actually worse than Spurs.

Lambert is a good manager and sacking him would be nuts, but if he goes through January buying more players of the type of Lowton, Westwood or Bennett, ie inexperienced kids, then it'll be his own fault if we get relegated as a result.

I'm sure i heard before Spurs that our most experienced PL player in the starting side was Barry Bannan with 55 appearances. That says it all.

[eastie]

Paul Lambert on Wigan loss.



Paul Lambert lamented the home defeat to Wigan but insisted: "We keep on fighting."

Lambert said it was "a hard one to take" particularly since he saw the clash as a chance to start a climb up the table in front of an expectant Villa Park crowd.

But he said there was no time to let the frustration fester with a tough away clash at Swansea coming up on New Year's Day.

He said: "It's not great that's for sure when you lose a goal early doors at home, especially from a corner kick.

"We only had a twenty minute spell in the first half where we looked like ourselves and we had a couple of half chances.

"Then the second half there was a lot of endeavour but no creativity. The second goal was really poor, coming from a throw-in from Wigan.

"It was a hard one to take, that's for sure. It was disappointing because it was a chance for us to climb the table.

"Spurs are a really good side and so are Chelsea but we had an opportunity to pull away, especially at home, that's the disappointing thing.

"When you're competing with everyone else around you and you get turned over 3-0 at home, then it certainly hurts you, that's for sure.

"But you have to try and not let it fester, that's first and foremost. You have to put a stop to it.

"You have to keep their spirits up. You have to keep them believing and keep going. That's what you have to do.

"They will come in tomorrow and you pick them up again. There's two ways of going - you run with it and get going or roll over. We will keep on fighting.

"But the last three results have hurt us, no doubt about it because everyone was positive after the Liverpool game. But once three results go against you, there's a negativity.

"I understand that. I can see that. But I have the belief that Aston Villa will be fine."

Lambert admitted he's eager to see his crocked stars return, with big players like Gabby Agbonlahor, Ron Vlaar, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Nathan Baker, Richard Dunne, Gary Gardner struggling for fitness.

He added: "That's the disappointing thing, that there are a lot of lads in the treatment room at the moment.

"Andi played at the last minute today. He had a calf problem. We never expected him to play. But he had a fitness test this morning. He came through it.

"We will have to wait and see how they are. But there are a lot of influential ones."

[Risso]

Sack Lambert and get Roy Keane in?

I am struggling to think of a more stupid idea.

As Player-Manager?

That's genuinely the only way the idea could get any more fucking stupid.

Honestly, Risso, what's wrong with you? Have you gone mental or something? I used to think your Allardyce thing was mental enough, but Roy Keane, FFS?

I reckon Rissbert adopts the Adrian Durham/TalkSport attitude to things. Lets says something thats mental bollox and gets people riled so they ring in to the station and keep listening. Mr Woodall is probably paying him to say stuff so people stay online at H & V. I'm sure he doesn't really believe it. 

The very definition of "mental bollox" is to keep doing the same thing, and expecting the outcome to be different.  Lambert is doing an appalling job, and after three humiliating defeats, on top of all of the other crap he's served up, his time should be up.

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I know what you mean Paulie. Vlaar and Dunne would make a world of difference. Warnock and Hutton would make ot worse!

We need a Stan in our midfield, we need a physical and dynamic player next to him.

I think you can get away with youthful, impetuous players in attacking areas, but not so much in the base of the spine.

Cahill is a wonderful centre half, but I have seen the Villa in better times molest him completely when he was at Bolton.

[The Situation]

Cheap and hungry are terms that doesn't mean a great deal. Quality is key, with the right physical attributes.

I don't know about that, really.

Some of the players he's brought in have enough quality and the right physical attributes. The problem is, there aren't any steady, seen-it-before heads there to calm the ship.

I said after Chelsea that the biggest challenge would be to manage to lift the young players after a trouncing like that. Spurs showed that, whatever it was, it didn't work. Today was actually worse than Spurs.

Lambert is a good manager and sacking him would be nuts, but if he goes through January buying more players of the type of Lowton, Westwood or Bennett, ie inexperienced kids, then it'll be his own fault if we get relegated as a result.

I'm sure i heard before Spurs that our most experienced PL player in the starting side was Barry Bannan with 55 appearances. That says it all.

True.

we just need the right balance in the team. I think having someone like petrov in team would make a big difference. If it can't be Petrov then a couple of players like petrov. I think its only a fine line from what we are now to being a top.10 team. we aren't as horrendous as people like to exaggerate. I see much more effort and self belief in this team than last season.

[Lobsterboy]

It would be madness to get rid of Lambert now when we gave McLeish a full season; if he takes us down then fair play sack him but not now #dontpaniccaptainmainwaring

[Risso]

Paul Lambert on Wigan loss.



Paul Lambert lamented the home defeat to Wigan but insisted: "We keep on fighting."

Lambert said it was "a hard one to take" particularly since he saw the clash as a chance to start a climb up the table in front of an expectant Villa Park crowd.

But he said there was no time to let the frustration fester with a tough away clash at Swansea coming up on New Year's Day.

He said: "It's not great that's for sure when you lose a goal early doors at home, especially from a corner kick.

"We only had a twenty minute spell in the first half where we looked like ourselves and we had a couple of half chances.

"Then the second half there was a lot of endeavour but no creativity. The second goal was really poor, coming from a throw-in from Wigan.

"It was a hard one to take, that's for sure. It was disappointing because it was a chance for us to climb the table.

"Spurs are a really good side and so are Chelsea but we had an opportunity to pull away, especially at home, that's the disappointing thing.

"When you're competing with everyone else around you and you get turned over 3-0 at home, then it certainly hurts you, that's for sure.

"But you have to try and not let it fester, that's first and foremost. You have to put a stop to it.

"You have to keep their spirits up. You have to keep them believing and keep going. That's what you have to do.

"They will come in tomorrow and you pick them up again. There's two ways of going - you run with it and get going or roll over. We will keep on fighting.

"But the last three results have hurt us, no doubt about it because everyone was positive after the Liverpool game. But once three results go against you, there's a negativity.

"I understand that. I can see that. But I have the belief that Aston Villa will be fine."

Lambert admitted he's eager to see his crocked stars return, with big players like Gabby Agbonlahor, Ron Vlaar, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Nathan Baker, Richard Dunne, Gary Gardner struggling for fitness.

He added: "That's the disappointing thing, that there are a lot of lads in the treatment room at the moment.

"Andi played at the last minute today. He had a calf problem. We never expected him to play. But he had a fitness test this morning. He came through it.

"We will have to wait and see how they are. But there are a lot of influential ones."

Wow, inspirational stuff.  We're truly lucky to have such a leader of men.

[pauliewalnuts]

Is there anything he can say which will go down well, right now?

That isn't "I'm stepping down, in favour of Roy Keane", obviously.

[The Situation]

Sack Lambert and get Roy Keane in?

I am struggling to think of a more stupid idea.

As Player-Manager?

That's genuinely the only way the idea could get any more fucking stupid.

Honestly, Risso, what's wrong with you? Have you gone mental or something? I used to think your Allardyce thing was mental enough, but Roy Keane, FFS?

I reckon Rissbert adopts the Adrian Durham/TalkSport attitude to things. Lets says something thats mental bollox and gets people riled so they ring in to the station and keep listening. Mr Woodall is probably paying him to say stuff so people stay online at H & V. I'm sure he doesn't really believe it. 

The very definition of "mental bollox" is to keep doing the same thing, and expecting the outcome to be different.  Lambert is doing an appalling job, and after three humiliating defeats, on top of all of the other crap he's served up, his time should be up.

OK, we might not be where we want to be, but the dynamics of this team compared to last is obvious. lots of determination and belief. Lamberts trying to put the pieces together but you wont give him the chance to finish.

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He said something to Pat Murphy, in that he will protect the players from the media but that "they will know where they've gone wrong" when he speaks to them.

He also held his hands up, rightly so too, for the abysmal performance.

The midfield needs Paul Lambert.

[pauliewalnuts]

I know what you mean Paulie. Vlaar and Dunne would make a world of difference. Warnock and Hutton would make ot worse!

We need a Stan in our midfield, we need a physical and dynamic player next to him.

I think you can get away with youthful, impetuous players in attacking areas, but not so much in the base of the spine.

Cahill is a wonderful centre half, but I have seen the Villa in better times molest him completely when he was at Bolton.

I think those Cahill molestings were mainly due to a succession of Bolton managers opting to play a mental high line against us when we had plenty of space.

re Petrov, that's too true, we don't half miss him this season.