On-going progress..

[ez]

I reckon Lambert will improve us but by how much? I have no idea myself. Getting more points than last season shouldn't be difficult and should be expected.

[Dante Lavelli]

I feel that bad decisions at villa, particularly since 2010 have created this vortex where getting to 40 points asap, and making a profit on bargain signings which can then be reinvested, is the height of our ambition.

I'd strongly argue that our ambitions are beyond that but the things you identify are our immediate route to get there.  It's pointless saying we have ambitions to be champions league without identifying some intermediate steps.  Initially we tried buying our way there, failed, and now we're trying something else.

However I agree that we've made some terrible decisions which have completely hampered our progress.

[eastie]

I feel that bad decisions at villa, particularly since 2010 have created this vortex where getting to 40 points asap, and making a profit on bargain signings which can then be reinvested, is the height of our ambition.

I'd strongly argue that our ambitions are beyond that but the things you identify are our immediate route to get there.  It's pointless saying we have ambitions to be champions league without identifying a route how to get there.  Initially we tried buying our way there, failed, and now we're trying something else.

I agree that we've made some terrible decisions which have completely hampered our progress.

I don't think we can realistically expect to compete for a champions league place without huge cash outlay on players , the way we are going now should see steady improvement up to a certain level but champions league is not something i see happening for a long time unless its through huge financial backing.

We will progress but as we have found once players establish themselves they will want today at a higher level and the top money clubs will be sniffing around.

I have limited my ambitions to possibly 7th or 8th at best for a few seasons ahead and maybe a cup win somewhere down the line , however winning a cup will only be an option if we field out strongest team against the good sides.

The glory days at the villa competing at the top end  are over for a good while to come i fear.

[Dante Lavelli]

Tottenham and more to the point spurs have both managed to get themselves in or around Champions League without spending beyond their means so it is possible.  I know they're both London clubs but spurs are handicapped by a small ground so we do have some things in our favour.

You are correct that it will take a long time, fucking ages in fact, but I don't really see an alternative.

[eastie]

Tottenham and more to the point spurs have both managed to get themselves in or around Champions League without spending beyond their means so it is possible.  I know they're both London clubs but spurs are handicapped by a small ground so we do have some things in our favour.

You are correct that it will take a long time, fucking ages in fact, but I don't really see an alternative.

Yes but Tottenham have spent wisely on experienced quality players and they have spent a lot of cash and also chosen wisely with managers - also spurs haven't done badly either

[Dante Lavelli]

Ooops, I meant Arsenal and Spurs.

But Spurs have generally bought young players, or at least they are the ones who they've sold which has allowed them to reinvest and grow.  That's the way I see it anyway.  There's nothing to stop us doing the same assuming Faulkner can provide the same continuity that Levy has provided spurs.

[Rudy65]

Spurs have the backing of a billionaire who is prepared to spend some money. They have a wily old chairman in Levy who has been there ages and makes Faulkner look like a schoolboy. Lerner wont spend big and I dont blame him. Its probably because he cant afford to to or he simply wont.

Like others say the Kozak purchase baffled me and on the basis of what ive seen so far he looks a bit limited to me. Early days, I know but doesnt look mobile. Time will tell.

For the first time in years the Newastle first half particularly bored me rigid. We were awful and as abad as anything last season. Similarly, Liverpool was poor. The only positive was the first two games of the season where we looked genuinely good in part.

Id love to know what happended to the lack of youngsters coming through. Tere appears no one on the horizon who is good enough to come through. Shame, we could really do with a Sid Cowans in midfield

Big season for Lambert.  Dont think the fans will turn anytime soon, but if we are bottom 5 or worse come January, the swell of disapproval will be heard big time frm the Holte.

Cant say Im looking forward to today. I can see City walking it 3 nil. Hope im wrong and the confidence does ebb away quickly.

Finally to all those in the ground today booing at half time whatever the score doesnt help. If you must boo leave it until full time

[eastie]

Spurs have the backing of a billionaire who is prepared to spend some money. They have a wily old chairman in Levy who has been there ages and makes Faulkner look like a schoolboy. Lerner wont spend big and I dont blame him. Its probably because he cant afford to to or he simply wont.

Like others say the Kozak purchase baffled me and on the basis of what ive seen so far he looks a bit limited to me. Early days, I know but doesnt look mobile. Time will tell.

For the first time in years the Newastle first half particularly bored me rigid. We were awful and as abad as anything last season. Similarly, Liverpool was poor. The only positive was the first two games of the season where we looked genuinely good in part.

Id love to know what happended to the lack of youngsters coming through. Tere appears no one on the horizon who is good enough to come through. Shame, we could really do with a Sid Cowans in midfield

Big season for Lambert.  Dont think the fans will turn anytime soon, but if we are bottom 5 or worse come January, the swell of disapproval will be heard big time frm the Holte.

Cant say Im looking forward to today. I can see City walking it 3 nil. Hope im wrong and the confidence does ebb away quickly.

Finally to all those in the ground today booing at half time whatever the score doesnt help. If you must boo leave it until full time

I would say grealish looks like he could be the real deal , although i had high hopes for Gary Gardner a couple of years back and he seems injury prone with another injury setback now .

[Dante Lavelli]

Spurs have the backing of a billionaire who is prepared to spend some money. They have a wily old chairman in Levy who has been there ages and makes Faulkner look like a schoolboy. Lerner wont spend big and I dont blame him. Its probably because he cant afford to to or he simply wont.

I'm too lazy to check but I'm pretty sure Spurs make a profit after transfers more years than not, so whilst a billionaire is behind them they're cash is self generated (unlike us in the early Randy years).

[supertom]

Spurs have the backing of a billionaire who is prepared to spend some money. They have a wily old chairman in Levy who has been there ages and makes Faulkner look like a schoolboy. Lerner wont spend big and I dont blame him. Its probably because he cant afford to to or he simply wont.

I'm too lazy to check but I'm pretty sure Spurs make a profit after transfers more years than not, so whilst a billionaire is behind them they're cash is self generated (unlike us in the early Randy years).

On the whole they do. They've always sold as well as they've bought to be fair. They're pretty much a prime example of a club running efficiently in the fair play rules. They do big wages but not as crazy as the likes of City, Chelsea etc. As said, they do tend to buy young players and let them develop well.

[dave.woodhall]

It also took Spurs about 15 years of finishing mid-table before they got anywhere near the top four.

[Malandro]

Spurs have the backing of a billionaire who is prepared to spend some money. They have a wily old chairman in Levy who has been there ages and makes Faulkner look like a schoolboy. Lerner wont spend big and I dont blame him. Its probably because he cant afford to to or he simply wont.

I'm too lazy to check but I'm pretty sure Spurs make a profit after transfers more years than not, so whilst a billionaire is behind them they're cash is self generated (unlike us in the early Randy years).

On the whole they do. They've always sold as well as they've bought to be fair. They're pretty much a prime example of a club running efficiently in the fair play rules. They do big wages but not as crazy as the likes of City, Chelsea etc. As said, they do tend to buy young players and let them develop well.

They buy young, household names. We buy young, relative unknowns (well to fans anyway) I like both approaches, but I can only see one playing near the top four. 

[supertom]

It also took Spurs about 15 years of finishing mid-table before they got anywhere near the top four.

They've also almost culturally with their club always had a very particular way of playing. Very few managers have tried changing that. There was the french geezer a few years back but he was disaster.

[silhillvilla]

The books are being balanced so we are a stage closer to Lerner selling up to some Sheikh or Oligarch who will take us on to the next level. So in that respect, a sort of depressing slant on progress.
On the pitch, at times we look sublime and other times we look Pub Sunday Morning league. Rollercoaster .

[sirlordbaltimore]

Another major difference between us and Spurs is when they do sell one of their better players, they tend to replace with ones of a similar standard. Therefore the team rarely suffers like us

I'm still reeling over getting 38m for Young/Downing and expecting a 9m N'Zogbia to replace both of their assists and goals

Or getting 18m and Ireland for Milner but not actually replacing the engine of the side

It just can't be done. No matter how cheap Lerner wants it to be, you spend pennies you'll get exactly what we have. Bottom half fodder