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

[Nev]

Just a quick comparison between this season and last [at 20 games played]

                  PL   W  D   L      F    A    G/D    Pts     Position
2011/12    20    5   8   7    22  26   -4       23        13th
2012/13    20    4   6  10   15  39   -24     18        17th

In terms of have we improved this season vs. last season, the stats say no on every level, lost more, drawn less, won less, scored less, conceded more, worse goal difference, worse points and lower league place.

Not saying it wont improve but it does show that in terms of measurable facts we are atr 20 games worse than the TSM side last season.

The key difference is that the current manager has a positive attitude that brings results such as Liverpool and Norwich but, on the other hand, also produces Chelsea and Wigan. He has a method and a plan which will not work overnight, it's questionable as to whether it will work at all but at least he makes an attempt to win games.

I've said it before, I'd rather go down fighting than stay up with a negative, soul-destroying, cowardly approach to the game.

Yes were all in the row boat together happily rowing in the same direction, the question is... is it the right direction?

I don't know, but last season was definately the wrong direction.

[paul_e]

I believe we will improve this season, we had been on an upward curve until the Chelsea game and I think we can get back to that.

Last season it always felt like the performances in the first 7-8 games were as good as it was going to get.

Given the choice of starting strong or finishing strong I'd take the latter every time and I believe Lambert will provide that.  My belief isn't based on stats so I can't give you documented evidence to indicate why we should expect a change, it's just a feeling, but it's one that around 92.6% of people on this site seem to share.

[Risso]

I'll ask for the umpteenth time, what exactly is this "method and plan"?  And how exactly does he have a positive attitude yet has delivered just about the least amount of goals scored in the league?  He's been playing five at the back as well, AND still been getting us spanked.

[MarkM]

but it's one that around 92.6% of people on this site seem to share.

If there was a 'Not Sure' option I would bet that the 92.6% would be allot lower

[not3bad]

I'll ask for the umpteenth time, what exactly is this "method and plan"?  And how exactly does he have a positive attitude yet has delivered just about the least amount of goals scored in the league?  He's been playing five at the back as well, AND still been getting us spanked.

Play a positive, pressing game using young players that have been brought through more or less together and are prepared to work hard for each other and for the team.  You can see the positive attacking game they are trying to play but yes, at times they have been spanked.  Doesn't mean the positive approach wasn't there though.  In fact, to me it's proof it was there.  An Alex Mcleish side, upon going 2 down, will batton down the hatches in order to prevent prevent the loss being more extreme.

It's what people mean when they say "I'd rather see us go down fighting".

Unless you'd prefer to see another season of "damage limitation" football?

[pauliewalnuts]

but it's one that around 92.6% of people on this site seem to share.

If there was a 'Not Sure' option I would bet that the 92.6% would be allot lower

I take ypur point, but the question is whether we sack him or not, it has to be yes or no, in the same way he continues as our manager or he doesn't.

[paul_e]

The key difference between this year and last year is, when we've had a good game this year it's been a good team performance where everything is working and you can see the side Lambert wants us to be.  Last year our handful of good performances were largely centred on a couple of excellent individual performances (i.e. Ireland was fantastic in the win over Chelsea).

I personally think there is a lot more long term chance of success if we focus on being a side who work for each other and play as a unit, we're not there yet, mainly because we don't have the link up in midfield and we have been mightily unlucky with injuries but it's fairly clear that's what Lambert wants us to become.  Given that his signings have largely looked excellent value for money (he spent 27m we'd get back closer to 50m if we sold them now, with Benteke, Lowton and Westwood all having massively increased in value) I think it only right we trust him to spend again in tis window.  If he still can't get the most out of them and we struggle then we can review things in the summer (I still don't think we'll go down), at least with his signings we won't be tying the next manager down with lots of over-paid under-performing 30 year olds who are going to hang around for a few years leeching a wage off the club.

[not3bad]

There was an article that made the excellent point that when Norwich came into the premier league they'd already had two seasons of playing together as a side.  Aston Villa, who only began to change towards being the kind of model that Lambert wants over the close season, have not had that time.  Added to that are the injuries we've had to contend with.

That's a big concern to me, why all these injuries, all the time?  It was the same under Mcleish and Houllier as well.

[Risso]

So really, what it all boils down to, is that he isn't McLeish.  Great. 

[Concrete John]

So really, what it all boils down to, is that he isn't McLeish.  Great. 

I'd say what it boils down to is understanding the team needed major revitalisation and that the manager doing that needs time.  Short term pain for long term gain.  You either see what he's trying to build or do not.

[not3bad]

What it boils down to is "do you think it will get better or don't you".

[Fergal]

So really, what it all boils down to, is that he isn't McLeish.  Great. 

Indeed

[Simba]

So really, what it all boils down to, is that he isn't McLeish.  Great. 

Well, yes. That is fair. As a snapshot 20 game comparison, the truth is we are statistically no better.

The future however, has some hope unlike TSM which is why, along with the negative of another managerial disruption, over 90% of us want Lambert to be given a chance.

In fact I cannot remember any manager at any club receiving so much vocal support with such poor stats. Well done Villa fans.

[Dave Cooper please]

but it's one that around 92.6% of people on this site seem to share.

If there was a 'Not Sure' option I would bet that the 92.6% would be allot lower

Yes, but a 'not sure' is surely an indication that the voter is happy, for a short time at least, to see if Lambert can turn it around?
Or they are just a fence-sitting, Nick Clegg lover.

[PaulWinch again]

It's not just that he's not Mcleish. He clearly has a plan to try and build an Aston Villa side with young and talented players who want to play for the club, which is admirable. Look at who Mcleish saddled Villa with, Given who was old when we signed him on a long deal and is in decline, Hutton and N'Zogbia. So I'd say that the majority of Lambert's signings have been vastly better.

I'm not saying he hasn't made some errors, but hopefully he realises he needs to blend experienced with youth(his comment that age isn't a factor as long as they're hungry suggests he does realise). Also if we're going to use the first half of the season as a snap shot then fair enough it's not great, although at least we've tried to play football at times. However it's virtually impossible for Lambert to have as bad a second half of a season as Mcleish, so it'll interesting to see how we finish up.