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

[Chris Smith]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

[PaulWinch again]

I notice that Huddersfield have sacked Simon Grayson,this is a manager who got Huddersfield promototed last season.They sit 7 ponts above the drop zone with plenty of games to play,Although I can understand peoples reasons for wanting to keep him.I also feel slightly embarrassed with our complete and utter lack of ambition when I see managers being sacked when our own manager is performing much worse, this is what I find the most hurtful is the message that it sends out,that this is good enough for Villa.It isn't and I believe it sends out the message that we have given up

That's a weird reading of the situation. We have changed manager for 3 consecutive seasons; it hasn't helped. What makes you think that if we did it now it would somehow be different this time?

If the new bloke you want doesn't improve things will you be calling for his head in the summer? What about next season, if things aren't immediately better - do we go through another two managers?

Enough is enough, we need stability not more upheaval.

It's completely irrelevant if the owner is removing all investment. I agree there's no point in sacking the manager, because without investment this team is rubbish whoever the manager is. It's not so much a stability issue, more a result of our hopeless board/owner.

[eastie]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

Not so much things not going well as being virtually as bad at any time in the last 25 years, with worst records being broken left right and centre.

This is no blip or bad run it is a totally unacceptable string of appalling results .

[saunders_heroes]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

If the club went with your thinking we'd still have Billy McBingo in charge.

[Chris Smith]

I notice you ignored the question I posed, Eastie.

Lambert has a good record, he hasn't become a poor manager overnight. If people like you were to get their way (and thankfully it doesn't look as though you will) we'd never get anywhere. Half a season with an injury hit squad isn't enough time to get the measure of a manager and as I've said elsewhere, changing manager every 12 months hasn't worked so far, why will it now after only 6 months?

[Chris Smith]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

If the club went with your thinking we'd still have Billy McBingo in charge.

It looks as though they are going with my way of 'thinking', rather than your knee jerk reactionary approach.

[MarkM]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

If the club went with your thinking we'd still have Billy McBingo in charge.

It looks as though they are going with my way of 'thinking', rather than your knee jerk reactionary approach.

Im sure that your way of thinking will be applauded as we enter Division 2

[VillaAlways]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

If the club went with your thinking we'd still have Billy McBingo in charge.

It looks as though they are going with my way of 'thinking', rather than your knee jerk reactionary approach.

Sacking Lambert would hardly be " knee jerk" given the results we've had,the position we're in and what we're set to lose.Still the owners not bothered so why the hell should I be.

[levico]

I'll vote on the 1st February. Buy some players and I'll go for in. Maintain the status quo and I'll go for out. But what difference would it make then as we'll be down, down, deeper and down...

Indeed, one of the compelling factors in voting out is the idea that they might get someone in quick enough for us to make a signing or 2 before the window closes, if they're not going to back lambert then they'd have to back a new guy.

Do you really think it's feasible to sack a manger on 24th January and for a replacement to be recruited, appointed and him assess the squad and identify reinforcements in time to make signings by the 31st?

Can you see the glaring weakness in our squad?  If you can so can an experienced manager.  We need an big strong central defender to command the box and a big bustling midfielder to give us some drive and battle in there.

If he went today we'd have to have a new guy in by tuesday so he could spend wednesday and thursday on the phone.

Other clubs have replaced their manager in that timescale so it's perfectly feasible.

Sorry Paul, but to me that timetable is unrealistic. If they're in work it will take more than 4 days to prize them away, even if they were interested in a job with a life expectancy of 6 months if things don't go to plan immediately. So, who is out of work that might do a better job, who might be interested in coming and who we can afford?

Southampton have just replaced their manager in 1 day and are being linked with a 10m brazilian wonderkid within a week, so not only is it a reasonably realistic timescale I can back it up with a very recent example.

As for asking who to replace him with, I have no idea but there's plenty of managers out there who'd love a shot in a the premier league.

Perhaps, but how many, worth their salt, would want a job with a life expectancy of half a season if things don't go well?

If the club went with your thinking we'd still have Billy McBingo in charge.

It looks as though they are going with my way of 'thinking', rather than your knee jerk reactionary approach.

Im sure that your way of thinking will be applauded as we enter Division 2

Absolutely. We could still be described as "stable" as we slipped into oblivion.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I notice you ignored the question I posed, Eastie.

Lambert has a good record, he hasn't become a poor manager overnight. If people like you were to get their way (and thankfully it doesn't look as though you will) we'd never get anywhere. Half a season with an injury hit squad isn't enough time to get the measure of a manager and as I've said elsewhere, changing manager every 12 months hasn't worked so far, why will it now after only 6 months?

Whilst I agree with this it's also worth remembering that Lambert, like most of our squad, is still learning. What has really surprised me is the level of his tactical naivity. Maybe my expectations were too high but then I wasn't really expecting that much, just somebody that knew the basics and could build something solid in the future.

[JJ-AV]

Lambert has had it good here. He took over an established Premier League club that had just had it's worst season in years, replacing one of the most unpopular managers in even longer.

He had a blank canvass but a team with a bit of quality littered throughout. And £25m to spend.

Even O'Neill made use of Sorenson, Hughes, Angel and Baros before replacing them all gradually.

I wouldn't sack him, but the only signing he got right in the Summer was Benteke and that was in the one position we probably didn't need anybody.

[paul_e]

What you're ignoring by saying the post has a life expectancy of 6 months is that it would only be the case if someone showed the tactical knowledge as a 10 year old, much like Lambert has, particularly in recent weeks.

Again, I think most of the things he's done have been very good but you can't overlook the fact that a lot of the points we've dropped or heavy defeats we've suffered have come on the back of some truly astounding tactical decisions.  I was willing to ignore the tactical naivety for a while but it's happening too often now.  Letting Chelsea maul us like he did was the catalyst for what has to be the worst month the club has gone through since football began (according to sky), and he's not been able to fix it.

[LeeS]

Irrespective of whether we buy anyone (or leave sufficient time to do so), sacking Lambert requires finding a replacement. I just dont trust Lerner and Faulkner to make a good choice. We'd probably have weeks of uncertainty and then get another duffer appointed in desperation.

Let Lambert have the time he needs to sort out the stinking mess we are in. He has made some terrible tactical decisions but I really dont blame him for the cost cutting or buying players from lower leagues. I suspect that he was told to do this to trim the wage bill and now has to cobble together a team out of them.

I'd rather Lerner came out and said that Lambert is in for the long haul and we have a plan - whatever that plan may be. Just fucking tell us something!

[eastie]

I notice you ignored the question I posed, Eastie.

Lambert has a good record, he hasn't become a poor manager overnight. If people like you were to get their way (and thankfully it doesn't look as though you will) we'd never get anywhere. Half a season with an injury hit squad isn't enough time to get the measure of a manager and as I've said elsewhere, changing manager every 12 months hasn't worked so far, why will it now after only 6 months?

I agree we need a manager long term to build things  but only if he is the right man - i thought lambert may be that man but he looks completely out of his depth , similar to when mike walker left norwich for everton - maybe this club is just not the right fit for lambert but his tactics, formations , team selections and substitutions have left me baffled many times - i think he has lost his way and cannot see him taking us anywhere but down .

This appointment is not lerners fault but it is no time to blindly hope it will all turn out right in the end - its not worked out and the time to move on is now .

My choice would be guy poyet or glenn hoddle .

[olaftab]

I notice you ignored the question I posed, Eastie.

Lambert has a good record, he hasn't become a poor manager overnight. If people like you were to get their way (and thankfully it doesn't look as though you will) we'd never get anywhere. Half a season with an injury hit squad isn't enough time to get the measure of a manager and as I've said elsewhere, changing manager every 12 months hasn't worked so far, why will it now after only 6 months?

I agree we need a manager long term to build things  but only if he is the right man - i thought lambert may be that man but he looks completely out of his depth , similar to when mike walker left norwich for everton - maybe this club is just not the right fit for lambert but his tactics, formations , team selections and substitutions have left me baffled many times - i think he has lost his way and cannot see him taking us anywhere but down .

This appointment is not lerners fault but it is no time to blindly hope it will all turn out right in the end - its not worked out and the time to move on is now .

My choice would be guy poyet or glenn hoddle .

Poyet or Hoddle...I am so pleased you are not in charge as we will be changing Managers with the weather!
All the conditions were correct in appointing Lambert and he is still the best choice for us now.  Yes I accept that we could have done better but not much better with anyone else given the prevailing circumstances at the club. I do not see a need for change. What we need is stability.