On-going progress..

[supertom]

I'd honestly like to know what the long term goal of our long term plan is though. It appears to be mid-table safety, and we still appear a year or two away from doing that. If there's one thing you can't entirely sacrifice for a long term plan, its results. I'd love for us to have developed a really good squad of players who'll all peak together in their late 20's and have us pushing in the top 6. Firstly that's unlikely unless we make some changes. Secondly we also have to get results whilst doing this. There's the here and now to worry about, not just 5 years time. And honestly, do we want to see this through for 5 years only to be a club finishing 8th-11th every year?

If we do nothing in january, I'd worry about relegation. Sunderland have lost Di Canio, so there's a chance they might get a solid replacement. Newcastle don't look as horrendous as expected, and have a few really decent players too. I think we're in that group with Norwich, Soton, Stoke etc who'll be trying to keep ahead of the promoted clubs and try and keep them under the level. Thats not good enough for Villa.

[PaulWinch again]

First of all surrender like last night is not acceptable. It's clear that there needs to be investment in the squad to add quality, because we can't go into games essentially forfeiting them. The problem is our home form is becoming chronic, because we don't have the quality in midfield to unlock teams.

[FranzBiberkopf]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

[saunders_heroes]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree there isn't a quick fix, but we need to see a change in strategy when it comes to transfers moving forward. We have brought in a lot of players to bolster the squad, but now we need to start adding a couple of players each window to increase the quality. Also at home we have to change our tactics, because clearly they're not working.

[Clampy]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

What 'quick fix' do you have in mind?

[Malandro]

Reasons to be happy:

1. World class striker (Yes I know he's injured - but not many better in my opinion)
2. World class goalkeeper
3. Delph, looks immense at the moment.
4. Gabby - loyal and effective
5. Andi - looked a little poor so far, but he will come good
6. Okore, when fit I think he will be as good as any in league

Anyway, you can only play 11 players at once and we have some bloody good players. We will improve. Need a bit of luck, injuries to subside and game time.

[saunders_heroes]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

What 'quick fix' do you have in mind?

Money. Pay peanuts and you get monkeys. That's why we're in such a mess.

[German James]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

What 'quick fix' do you have in mind?

Money. Pay peanuts and you get monkeys. That's why we're in such a mess.

I don't know why you're unable to understand that we are not going to be spending money to compete with Manchester City. Or even Spurs. As that isn't an option, we are trying to patiently piece together a competitive side by scouting and buying cheaper and less glamourous, but nonetheless good players from more obscure leagues and clubs. If this works, it will come to fruition in a few seasons' time. Whether we agree with this approach would seem to depend on our ability to a) delay gratification and b) see some sort of progress. I can do both - especially in light of the last few disasterous seasons, before Lambert came. If you can't, I'm afraid you're going to be frustrated for a while yet.
 
And really: "Monkeys"? You don't rate Benteke or Weimann or Okore or Guzan, then?

[Mark H]

I agree that we have to have some patience for the "project" as they now get called that we are embarking on.  I do know that we also need to get results to keep us going forward as its clearly not good for any us to be consistently under relegation pressure.  My concern having sat through last nights game is the same as it has been for all of this season , midfield.  We have some good workers in there who can "do a job" but when we have the ball we just are completely clueless in what to do with it passing sideways and backwards.  This lack of movement and creativity means that we end up as stated by AVB this morning and by the current Messia Jose after the Chelsea game we lump it long and play very direct , I believe because we quickly run out of any other idea of what to do with the ball.

[Clampy]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

What 'quick fix' do you have in mind?

Money. Pay peanuts and you get monkeys. That's why we're in such a mess.

I wouldn't call £7m for one player on deadline day peanuts and I wouldn't say we're in a mess either but each to their own I suppose.

[Monty]

Ok, let's just spend loads of money, £10m, £15m a player. I mean, we've clearly got it lying around doing nothing, so why aren't they spending? Great idea. Villa should spend their excess hundreds of millions on a world class squad. Someone get down to Cleveland, OH and tell Lerner that, because he's scratching his head and wondering if all the wads of money would make a good fort.

[dave.woodhall]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

Last night you said Lerner doesn't spend enough. You were asked how many managers had spent more than Lambert and didn't answer. This morning you're saying Lerner doesn't spend enough.

[FranzBiberkopf]

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it.

He (Lerner) doesn't have it, so no point in hankering after it.

Every team is always two players short. Two quality players. Fans always want two more signings. Managers always want to make two more signings. There's always two missing pieces to the jigsaw. You have to draw the line somewhere and balance the books.

Rhetorical question time - would you pay an extra £100 pa on your season ticket to fund the 'real money' signings? Seriously?

[saunders_heroes]

I think we just need to chill a little. 

Looking at the squad realistically, its midtable. Thats what has been budgeted for. Thats in line with what we all pay as individuals at the gate and for our season tickets.

Two quality additions and it could (with a tail wind and a spot of good luck) be top 7/6.

I don't think Lambert is blinkered or reluctant to pay for the quality, or even so much that Lerner won't fund it. Its just that there's only a finite pool of quality, all being chased by a group of clubs across Europe, of which we are but one.

I like they way we're developing. I'm prepared to build slowly. Consolidation this season (14th - 10th place). Kick on again next season (10th - 7th). Then see where we can go and what the appetite for risk is at that point.

No easy quick fixes available any longer I'm afraid.

There could be a quick fix, if only Lerner would invest some real money, but he won't do it. We spend a relative pittance these days and we're seeing the consequence of it. It's quite humiliating seeing us getting beat at home so often. There doesn't seem much pride at the Villa these days.

What 'quick fix' do you have in mind?

Money. Pay peanuts and you get monkeys. That's why we're in such a mess.

I don't know why you're unable to understand that we are not going to be spending money to compete with Manchester City. Or even Spurs. As that isn't an option, we are trying to patiently piece together a competitive side by scouting and buying cheaper and less glamourous, but nonetheless good players from more obscure leagues and clubs. If this works, it will come to fruition in a few seasons' time. Whether we agree with this approach would seem to depend on our ability to a) delay gratification and b) see some sort of progress. I can do both - especially in light of the last few disasterous seasons, before Lambert came. If you can't, I'm afraid you're going to be frustrated for a while yet.
 
And really: "Monkeys"? You don't rate Benteke or Weimann or Okore or Guzan, then?

I'm not deluded enough to think we can compete with the Man Citys of this world, I just want to see us competitive but we're not even doing that. Are you happy with the Villa at the moment?
As for the players you've listed only Benteke can be classed as a good signing. Okore may well turn out to be decent in the long run. Weimann can class himself very lucky to be still in the team. He's done barely nothing this calendar year. In another era at. Villa he'd find himself back in the reserves.