Herd and Holman

[Steve R]

Defensively, Lichaj could be a perfectly good right back. He did an excellent job on Gareth Bale last season.

The problem is that Lambert wants full backs who can play the ball like midfielders, which is fine but doesn't suit Lichaj.

[not3bad]

Holman's attitude is spot on, it's a shame it's not working out for him:

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/socceroo-holman-in-a-tough-place-20130321-2giko.html

[Concrete John]

Defensively, Lichaj could be a perfectly good right back. He did an excellent job on Gareth Bale last season.

The problem is that Lambert wants full backs who can play the ball like midfielders, which is fine but doesn't suit Lichaj.

Not an unfair assessment, but even the PL style aside, I think his level is the Championship. 

[PaulWinch again]

I see Holman is bemused as to not being in the team, the reason is Brett your form has dropped off badly.

[N'ZMAV]

We've played better without him in the team.

[neo_Villan]

I see Holman is bemused as to not being in the team, the reason is Brett your form has dropped off badly.

He never had form IMO bar a few games.

[Mister E]

Holman's attitude is spot on, it's a shame it's not working out for him:

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/socceroo-holman-in-a-tough-place-20130321-2giko.html

Good attitude re working harder in training but the fact that he hasn't spoken to Lambert about his selection makes me think he'll be off in the summer. Either that or he's simply bullshitting to the Aussie media.

[placeforparks]

holman has been venting before australia v japan..

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/football/holman-distraught-over-fall-from-favour-at-aston-villa-20130531-2nh8x.html

TOKYO: Brett Holman has revealed his despair at seeing his English Premier League dream with Aston Villa turn into a nightmare, saying the club's manager, Paul Lambert, still won't talk to him.

After gradually rising through to become one of the top players in the Dutch Eredivisie, and starring for the Socceroos, Holman was widely expected to adapt well to life in Britain after moving on a free transfer from AZ Alkmaar.

While he ended the year with a respectable tally of 27 appearances, they tended to come earlier in the season and, before long, Holman fell so far from favour that he wasn't even making the match-day squad.

In March, Holman expressed his initial frustration at the situation, but while Lambert claimed he didn't mind the player speaking out, he hasn't done much about it since.

''No, there wasn't much verbal contact with the manager,'' Holman said. ''Whether he had that with other players, I don't know - but there wasn't a reason or an explanation why it went the way it went after Christmas.

''I'm going to knuckle down for the next few weeks [on international duty] and then think about my future. Maybe I have to make a decision, maybe not - it all depends on what happens at Villa.''

Holman said the situation had been a major mental strain after being excited about his move to the world's most famous league.

''It's frustrating and you'd be crazy to say you're happy sitting on the bench every week,'' he said.

''You miss that peak moment at the end of the week after working your backside off. You don't get any rewards for it … It's been tough but luckily I've got a good support system with my family behind me.''

Holman said he didn't know how his base fitness would be heading into Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Japan because he hasn't played in so long - only for Aston Villa's youth team.

''I'm not match fit because I haven't played any games,'' he said. ''You're training all the time and you do extra sessions because you haven't been playing. It's tough to judge.

''No reserve-grade football, just youth … . But I do feel good, even if training and playing in games is completely different.''

[PeterWithesShin]

Fair enough for me. I'd be disappointed if he was happy not playing.

[Ads]

Why do players always moan about not speaking to the manager?

They're all adults, why not walk over to him and ask for a chat?

[JUAN PABLO]

Fair enough for me. I'd be disappointed if he was happy not playing.

well do something when you are on the pitch then instead of looking like a small heath player

[supertom]

Not Lamberts signing. Was given a more than fair crack but isn't good enough. I like Brett, he works his bollocks off but he's not premiership quality. Not even close.

[claretandbeer]

We need a good wide player who can challenge Weimann for a starting place.Holman is not the answer and in the centre of the park ,Delph,Nzogbia and hopefully Gardner are better options. I've been  slightly more impressed with Herd  than Clark or Baker in the centre of the defence,good in the air ,reads the play better,more determined but injury prone.However,our priority is a quality central defender and I think that Herd will lose out .

[LeeB]

Fair enough for me. I'd be disappointed if he was happy not playing.

well do something when you are on the pitch then instead of looking like a small heath player

This, I'm afraid.

Tara a bit pal, you won't be missed.

[Concrete John]

Not Lamberts signing. Was given a more than fair crack but isn't good enough. I like Brett, he works his bollocks off but he's not premiership quality. Not even close.

I'd be keeping him myself.  I agree he's been given a fair crack by Lambert and that he's done nothing to suggest he'll turn into a regular for us, but he seems a good pro and we've kept worse players for longer.  Another 12 months and if he's still the same standard then, we should move him on.