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

[pauliewalnuts]

One other thing, an I don't like to single one young player out, but defensively, Bennett is one of the worst players we have had in a long time.

He might improve and show he can do it, but every time I see him, he gets worse and worse. He's getting destroyed.

[Pat McMahon]

What has Ireland ever done to justify being thought of as one of our best players? His whole reputation is based on two thirds of a good season at City years ago.

I still want to know which eejit sanctioned the purchase of Ireland when we had no manager. That has always struck me as plain stupid. I don't think any manager has ever wanted him here.

[mr woo]

I was firmly in the "delighted to get Lambert" camp, so it's impossible for me to knock Lerner for getting him. I also like what Lambert wants to do, but in hindsight it seems he's tried to do it too fast.

Exactly how I feel.

I don't blame Lerner for appointing him, it seemed a good idea at the time. But I would blame Lerner for not recognising and correcting something which is plainly not working.

 I (and I'm sure many of you) have never seen a more disorganised team in top-flight football (maybe Newcastle under Shearer excepted). Something needs to be done - and the answer is not coughing up 3.5mill for Diame from West Ham.

[Greg N'Ash]

well we lost it in the first leg. i'd written this game off already as i knew they'd get one, but its the cup games that always do for a manager as tonight proves

[Howla]

I honestly can't believe I am saying this (especially as an ex semi pro full back and their fiercist critics) but Warnock and Hutton would improve our full back offering.

It won't necessarily keep us up as with our narrow no winger  formation the fullbacks play a critical role unfortunately they are not good enough. In the battle ahead it may give us some PL experience as both Bennett and alarmingly Lowton's confidence is shot.

Bradford practically let Lowton to have the ball all night and not bother wasting resource to close him down knowing he posed little threat and was weak. Ditto Bennett. Manure did same with Cuellar in CC Final

[MonsXI]

My thinking is will removing Lambert solve the problem, what is the next boss going to do differently?

Lerner created this mess, he allowed MON to go crazy with the family fund then when others would push on he withdrew. Where we find ourselves now is not Lamberts fault or McLeishs, Houlliers or O'Neills it firmly rests at the feet of Randy Lerner he took on something he didnt realise the size of.

[pauliewalnuts]

Lambert has made lots of mistakes but there isn't a manager around who could fashion a decent side from this squad.

Too many players not good enough.

[Ross]

A new guy might be able to coach the team at set pieces. This alone is justification when the alternative is the utter shambles under Lambert.

Also I find it impossible to think any of those players have faith in him anymore. He's a beaten man, just look at him. He needs to go tonight.

[tomd2103]

One other thing, an I don't like to single one young player out, but defensively, Bennett is one of the worst players we have had in a long time.

He might improve and show he can do it, but every time I see him, he gets worse and worse. He's getting destroyed.

Which makes it even more puzzling why he doesn't have any help and is left isolated 1v1 with a winger so many times.    It must be so easy to plan tactics against us at the moment - 4-4-2, get the ball wide early as possible, have a go at Lowton and Bennett and they're likely to give you either a corner or a free kick in the final third.  Bit of movement in the box, decent delivery and you're more than likely to get a goal.  That is pretty much all Bradford did over the two legs. 

[mr woo]

Howla, you're right.   A back four of         Hutton - Vlaar - Dunne (Or Collins if we hadn't sold him) - Warnock            wouldn't have leaked three in the first leg at Bradford, I'm fairly sure.

Which, along with pissing off our record signing is something Lambert has gotten wrong through his stubborn pig-headedness.

[bertlambshank]

What has Ireland ever done to justify being thought of as one of our best players? His whole reputation is based on two thirds of a good season at City years ago.

I still want to know which eejit sanctioned the purchase of Ireland when we had no manager. That has always struck me as plain stupid. I don't think any manager has ever wanted him here.

The Culprit looks like Pilsbury doughboy wearing a ginger wig.

[Greg N'Ash]

Lambert has made lots of mistakes but there isn't a manager around who could fashion a decent side from this squad.

Too many players not good enough.

you don't need to be a good side to not leak 4 goals to a div4 team. Yep, we're not very good,  but that shit in defence? nah. He can't organise them, pure and simple or they're not listening. Either way, get rid. The clueless dick in america could turn it around before Feb but its unlikely he cares.

[tomd2103]

A new guy might be able to coach the team at set pieces. This alone is justification when the alternative is the utter shambles under Lambert.

Also I find it impossible to think any of those players have faith in him anymore. He's a beaten man, just look at him. He needs to go tonight.

McLeish was supposed to be the man to do that, but we were just as bad last season. I do have some sympathy, as you can work on set pieces all you like, but if someone switches off in a game then there isn't anything you can do as a manager.  If the same player keeps doing it though (as Benteke has done) then the manager is to blame if he persists on using him back there.

[MonsXI]

What has Ireland ever done to justify being thought of as one of our best players? His whole reputation is based on two thirds of a good season at City years ago.

I still want to know which eejit sanctioned the purchase of Ireland when we had no manager. That has always struck me as plain stupid. I don't think any manager has ever wanted him here.

The Culprit looks like Pilsbury doughboy wearing a ginger wig.

the most perfect description!

[Hillbilly]

We've painted ourselves into a corner and there's no way out. Keeping him is wrong, sacking him is wrong. I hope he can turn it round cos I think he has the right idea. And there's no guarantee any other replacement you care to mention would be any better. Sacking a manager every year until one sticks is one easy way to spiral down out of control. On the other hand, he's looking inflexible and there's hubris in his personality that seems to be dragging us down. Everyone sees the problem with the team and either he doesn't or he does and can't fix it.

I have no bloody idea how this can be fixed.