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

[Villafirst]

The calmest head in the back four at the moment is Lowton, I reckon, but yes, an entire defence of novices asked to perform together.

Also, Lambert was quite insistent at the start of the season that Clark is a CB, and in no way a midfielder. I'm entirely unconvinced by that argument.

I think Clark is a centre back, and perhaps a decent one, but he just looks in severe need of a break, it all looks too much for him at the moment. Lowton I think has also really dropped his performance level since (surprise surprise) the Chelsea mauling - he's been at least in part at fault for many of our worst defensive moments since, and is another one in need of a break.

Yes, agree the Chelsea result in my opinion is the catalyst for this current situation. Quickly followed by 0-4 Spurs and 0-3 Wigan. This has destroyed all confidence.

[Risso]

Dial 843213 and ask for the Paul Lambert School of Defending

[OzVilla]

I know football is a game of opinions but Cieran Clark is a central midfielder.  I've always thought this would be his most natural position. That's where he should be aiming to play his professional football career. His actually regressed as a CB this season.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Sack him & then what? Who's going to come? And will they be backed? I seriously doubt it, Has to start with the chairman, tell you what, lose to Southampton, Newcastle, Bradford and it will be hard to carry on

[Apyadg]

Against Wigan he was certainly up shouting instructions last night he just sat down the whole time no attempt to get them going at all.Look like a rabbit in the headlights as he did against Chelsea ...

It's this that bothers me more than the result. It's no wonder our players look so lacking in confidence and ideas, when our manager is the same.

He may as well have stayed at home and watched the game on TV.

[Walmley_Villa]

I get the feeling he has been stitched up by the muppets in charge and now knows it...

[Concrete John]

I know football is a game of opinions but Cieran Clark is a central midfielder.  I've always thought this would be his most natural position. That's where he should be aiming to play his professional football career. His actually regressed as a CB this season.

I things it's slightly harsh to judge him of late as he's been playing with a mish mash of fullbacks and midfielders as his partner.  I always think the way to bring a young defender through is alongside a more experienced head, which we've not had due to the injuries to Vlaar and Dunne.

As to Lambert himself, I can see things starting to turn against him soon.  He badly needs a result against Southampton and stick some fire in their bellies.  'We go again' isn't what we or the players need to hear - this should be tea cups against the wall time!! 

[SW9-VILLA]

It's always worries me when I manager has nothing to do with the actual day to day training but prefers to sit behind a desk.I wish we had Chris Hughton

I admit I have thought this occasionally. No way they were gonna risk hiring another ex-Blues manager after the near catastrophic appointment last season. Therein lies the problems at the club though, no footballing people at the top with any common sense.

[PeterWithe]

I've been firmly in the camp of giving him time but there are more than a few questions about him, he keeps telling us to judge him on how his hungry but inexperienced team react to the numerous set backs they experience. The players don't seem to be growing in character after a humiliation, they are melting under the strain and seemed completely unmotivated last night. There was no hunger. To be tactically outmanouvered by a Division 4 manager was the candle in the pile of shit.

I'm not giving up on him but the honeymoon period is definately over.

[saunders_heroes]

I know football is a game of opinions but Cieran Clark is a central midfielder.  I've always thought this would be his most natural position. That's where he should be aiming to play his professional football career. His actually regressed as a CB this season.

I things it's slightly harsh to judge him of late as he's been playing with a mish mash of fullbacks and midfielders as his partner.  I always think the way to bring a young defender through is alongside a more experienced head, which we've not had due to the injuries to Vlaar and Dunne.

As to Lambert himself, I can see things starting to turn against him soon.  He badly needs a result against Southampton and stick some fire in their bellies.  'We go again' isn't what we or the players need to hear - this should be tea cups against the wall time!! 

Lambert can count himself incredibly lucky at Villa. The fans really should be baying for blood but for some strange reason they haven't yet turned on him. In fact a lot of fans fell for the "young and hungry" bullshit hook line and sinker. I think the penny has finally fallen now though. About time the fans woke up to what is happening at Villa.

[achilles]

I genuinely can't believe people are debating another managerial change.  Four thousand Villa fans serenaded Lambert when his team gave our own a battering at Carrow Road last seasonand now, months into a tough rebuilding job, patience is already wearing thin.  We can't keep doing this.  We can't keep making and breaking managers because pretty soon our club (and suppporters) will be viewed as some kind of deranged, basket case - the proverbial poisoned chalice.  Lambert is a top quality young manager.  He needs time and he needs patience.

Here's a serious question:  Would it have been "wiser" for  Lambert's long-term managerial position at Villa for him to have thrown the earlier League Cup match v Man City in order to dampen down expectations and pressure on himself? 

The problem I see it is that he has to show that he learns by his mistakes (i.e. formations, playing styles, personnal) and unfortunately he has shown none of that, he steadfastly refuses to alter anything. If we lost (showing effort and passion on the pitch) trying different things then I think people would understand and give him more time but if anything we are getting worse and sometimes drastic action is required!

[OzVilla]

Always amazes me that the 'fickle' tag stuck for some.  It took the Bolton game on 24th April before they turned on TSM, never really did under Houllier despite the 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' love in and Citeh debacle.

I think we back managers way and above what other clubs do, the Stripeyfilth for example turn on theirs regularly but like to see themselves as the worlds greatest supporters.  Total bollocks.

[Concrete John]

I know football is a game of opinions but Cieran Clark is a central midfielder.  I've always thought this would be his most natural position. That's where he should be aiming to play his professional football career. His actually regressed as a CB this season.

I things it's slightly harsh to judge him of late as he's been playing with a mish mash of fullbacks and midfielders as his partner.  I always think the way to bring a young defender through is alongside a more experienced head, which we've not had due to the injuries to Vlaar and Dunne.

As to Lambert himself, I can see things starting to turn against him soon.  He badly needs a result against Southampton and stick some fire in their bellies.  'We go again' isn't what we or the players need to hear - this should be tea cups against the wall time!! 

Lambert can count himself incredibly lucky at Villa. The fans really should be baying for blood but for some strange reason they haven't yet turned on him. In fact a lot of fans fell for the "young and hungry" bullshit hook line and sinker. I think the penny has finally fallen now though. About time the fans woke up to what is happening at Villa.

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I haven't 'woken up yet' as he was coming into a very difficult job both financially and in terms of needing to change the playing style dramatically.  He's made mistakes, but through out this season we have seen flashes of what he's trying to evolve us into.  Not enough flashes, granted, but they are there all the same.

Injuries haven't helped, but ultimately the man has made mistakes and he'll knows that himself.  I think changing managers now would be a mistake, but that does not mean he's getting my universal approval.   

[Damo70]

I definately think we should stick with him. However, probably the main thing in his favour at the moment is that most people think we need some stability after too many recent managerial changes. The next five league games, Southampton, Albion, Newcastle, Everton and West Ham are huge. Also the two cup ties, as much for general confidence as getting to the next stage. We need to bring in a couple of defenders. Whatever anyone thinks of the ones currently fit the fact is their confidence is shot to bits. A couple of older heads are needed, even if just on loan.

[Risso]

Lambert hasn't provided any stability whatsoever though, the team is an absolute shambles.