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

[john e]

We have to stick with him on the proviso that rather than picking ourselves up and going again, he picks up the phone to those senior players he has alienated and begs them to give him half a season of toil to keep us in this league.

Warnock or Hutton will save us? Are you for real?

And Lichaj, Bennett, Lowton will?

better chance yes

[LeeB]

We have to stick with him on the proviso that rather than picking ourselves up and going again, he picks up the phone to those senior players he has alienated and begs them to give him half a season of toil to keep us in this league.

Warnock or Hutton will save us? Are you for real?

And Lichaj, Bennett, Lowton will?

Maybe not, but the solution is not to bring back the clowns that nearly took us down last year.

[Ad@m]

People are missing the fact that bringing experienced players in to the side isnt just about their own individual contribution.

Having that experience there will help the youngsters on the pitch to perform better - whether it's a quiet word when confidence is low, a scream and shout when they're out of position or a heads up when they know a certain player tends to behave in a certain way, knowledge gained through through playing against them for years.

Even though the likes of Warnock and Dunne have been nowhere near their best for years I'd rather have them in the side now than continue playing the youth team who look totally shellshocked by what's happening to them.

[citizenDJ]

I've voted for 'keep', although I had to think about it. I suppose there is no point changing things now with a transfer window just ahead, and it probably is best to try and get some continuity going.

That said, I do think he is gambling a little too much, and a touch recklessly, on the 'young & hungry'. We have had a few glimpses of what they could be capable of, but mostly we have been pretty poor. I can't help but think how they would have been doing alongside some senior players, coming into a steady team and learning as they go from those alongside them. This way of throwing them all in and expecting them to come up to scratch, consistently, doesn't seem the right way to me. I suppose we'll see if he's right in the end.

The other aspect which frustrates me is his tactical ability, which many said was his strength. I really don't see it at all. I've no problem with swapping formations around, but only if that is to counter a specific threat from the opposition - if that is what he has tried to do then he has failed fairly spectacularly on occasion.

I wasn't that excited about his appointment (only because I hadn't really paid too much attention to Norwich, but I can't say they ever impressed me overly), and I suppose so far I'm not much more impressed - as Risso points out in the opening post, it's a really, really bad start he's made.

I think he'll get more time, and hopefully some money to spend, to improve things, and he probably will, if only just enough to avoid relegation. I'm not sure if that's OK, though, and I still find myself wondering if another manager might have done better (for what it's worth, I think my preference in the summer was for Martinez....I think).

[kippaxvilla2]

We have to stick with him on the proviso that rather than picking ourselves up and going again, he picks up the phone to those senior players he has alienated and begs them to give him half a season of toil to keep us in this league.

Warnock or Hutton will save us? Are you for real?

And Lichaj, Bennett, Lowton will?

Maybe not, but the solution is not to bring back the clowns that nearly took us down last year.

Those would be the clowns that we stayed up with.  I wouldn't normally advocate this sort of drastic measure but the situation we are in now is almost entirely of Lambert's making.  He chose to spend another £20m on championship players and unknowns whilst at the same time alienating/moving on/whatever you want to call it, the senior players.  It hasn't worked, we are in grave danger of losing our Premier League status, the financial ruin that goes with it, not to mention the ignominy.  Now is not the time to prove points, now is the time to bring men not  boys to the party.

[kippaxvilla2]

Actually, on the subject of who else could we bring in.  Maybe not a replacement but as coaching support go and give Ray Wilkins a call.  I am watching him talking a lot of sense on Sky at the moment.

[Ads]

Its not the full back area that is costing us, its in the middle of the defence and the middle of the park.

Warnock and Hutton are garbage.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

He's put his faith in younger players so to drop them for old players who are no better seems a little pointless. I'd persevere because there's a good team in there, they just need to show it more often and believe in themselves more.

These players have the potential to do well and get better together. We may have stated up the last two seasons with experienced players, but it was just turning into a never ending circle of dullness. I've seen us play better football this season than in the last two (maybe longer). You may argue better football doesn't mean doing well, but as we're never going to win anything then I'd rather enjoy it (though I'm not saying its all been fun this season).

[onje_villa]

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.

Exactly how I feel but I'm still worried.

[onje_villa]

If Lambert were Spurs manager, or Everton, or Newcastle, Liverpool....  Would he still be in a job? 

I hate putting the boot into managers so it's not nice to say, but after today he appears incapable of preparing a team fit for purpose (staying in this league).   I'd have to seriously question his decision of going with the same shape as the previous two defeats for todays game.

He hasn't taken over Spurs,Everton etc,he's inherited a team that's been involved in relegation battles the last 2 seasons.Last year he was renowned for changing systems.At the moment,with a horrific injury list,he hasn't got 2 wide men he can count on.Albrighton,surely not ? 3,5,2 makes sense.

My point was about the club and it's peers.  But, in fact, take any team in the top flight, or any other division for that matter and ask;   15 goals against, none scored.  When does that ever happen?  If it did, what would be the likely outcome? 

Lambert has fielded a freakishly poor team 3 times on the bounce.  Yes, some of that is down to circumstance,  but some of it is down to naivety or ineptitude.  A successful team relies on confidence,  in the style of play and in it's leader.  That's why I'm doubting ours.

Martinez at Wigan has the record I believe, think their fans are pretty happy he's still their boss.

[achilles]

We really don't have any choice but to keep him (only because I couldn't face who our owners would dream up next) but I am really thinking he will take us down, absolutely clueless regarding tactics and formations!

[cheltenhamlion]

Getting shot of Lambert would be idiocy of the highest order. We need to throw a few bob in his direction for players not start scratching around for yet another new manager with different ideas.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Getting shot of Lambert would be idiocy of the highest order. We need to throw a few bob in his direction for players not start scratching around for yet another new manager with different ideas.

I couldn't agree more, back Lambert, give him our support and we will become a great manager.

[Chris Smith]

We really don't have any choice but to keep him (only because I couldn't face who our owners would dream up next) but I am really thinking he will take us down, absolutely clueless regarding tactics and formations!

I think that's a little unfair. We've been hammered the last few games but we're pretty much down to bare bones at the moment but prior to that we'd been on a decent run, including wins at Liverpool and Norwich and a draw with Arsenal. I don't think we're in any position to make an informed judgement.

A couple of signings and a few of the injured players available and I think we'll see us a lot more competitive.

[JUAN PABLO]

we need Fat Frank