Confidence In The Manager

[LeeB]

I have absolute, evangelical support for him, and the reserves getting a tattering in the League Cup isn't going to change it in a hurry.

[manic-road]

I have absolute, evangelical support for him, and the reserves getting a tattering in the League Cup isn't going to change it in a hurry.

Totally agree with this.

[oldhill_avfc]

I know it's disappointing that we weren't able to match Spurs but I don't think we  threw the game.  The team was probably the best we could put out - without risking aggravating injuries to key players at an early stage in the season.

We are where we are - not where we want to be.   After years of on and off the field mis-management we are currently light years away from competing with the best. 

The current transfer policy is the only viable option and it will see us improve year on year in a sustainable fashion.  I believe Lambert instigated the strategy and will be key to seeing it through.

So confidence in the manager? - absolutely.

[JD]

Our home form is depressing and I feel sorry for those who turn up week in, week out at Villa Park.

Saying that, we have a squad of players and we've got to play them sometimes so that they get match practice, otherwise when players get injured, their replacements haven't had any playing time at all and will struggle even more.

As frustrating as it is, it's just going to take time with all the changes we've had over the last couple of years to (hopefully) gel into a decent team. I still have every faith in Lambert to turn things round, he just needs time.

Oh and I hate Spurzzz, no doubt my brother will be calling me from the US this weekend.

[PaulWinch again]

I am very confident in the manager and that he'll address the issues that need addressing.

[Billy Walker]

I'm right behind the manager and the way we are trying to re-build at Villa Park.  Not only did we have the youngest team in the Premier League last season but I read the other day that we had the youngest team in the whole of the top five leagues in Europe: what we are trying to do would be a tough ask for any manager, I feel.  We'll get one or two more awful results along the way but these are the inevitable growing pains.

Why do I want Lambert as our manager?  I'll list the reasons as they come into my head: On arriving into Villa Park he seemed to know exactly what needed to be done, who needed to be dropped, who needed to be blooded and so on - he had done his homework; he clearly respects the club and supporters; he is a man who clearly does his homework on players before he signs them and I just get the sense that he knows what he is doing.  For the first time in a long time it seems as though we have a guy with a long-term strategy and vision for the club.  He's strong minded and sticks to his guns which is, for me, part of great leadership.  He's not afraid to drop players no matter what their reputation is...and I'll even go so far as to say I think he is the best talent spotter we have had since Sir Graham Taylor.

[pauliewalnuts]

Wanting Lambert as our manager does not have to equate to never criticising him or wondering about the way he goes about things from time to time.

[Ads]

Wanting Lambert as our manager does not have to equate to never criticising him or wondering about the way he goes about things from time to time.

Quite.

You have to call a situation what it is; Newcastle was dire and very disappointing, as was Spurs. This cannot ever be acceptable or the norm, but I think on balance of the way we have played in the other games, these seem to be the aberrations. Spurs is particularly erroneous given the attitude from the club and fans towards the game and the side that was picked. I am bemused by how much store has been put into that given the flavour of the Man City thread.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes on Lambert I wanted him in and I have supported everything he has done so fat up till last night. Last night he sent out a team with no intention of winning a cup tie. So I am sorry but that is not what I expect of manager of Aston Villa football club so he is out as far as I am concerned.

He's out? is that tongue in cheek or a massive overreaction? I wasn't happy with the other night, but I still think Lambert is taking us in the right direction. He does need to address our lack of midfield creativity and our home form though.

[SamTheMouse]

One of the things I find worrying is that there's nobody in the squad for the youngsters to really learn their trade from and look up to. You can't say any of them is an elder statesman who's been there and got the t-shirt, so to speak. I suppose Gabby's the senior guy these days, but he doesn't strike me as an especially inspirational figure for the kids.

[Clampy]

Wanting Lambert as our manager does not have to equate to never criticising him or wondering about the way he goes about things from time to time.

Quite.

You have to call a situation what it is; Newcastle was dire and very disappointing, as was Spurs. This cannot ever be acceptable or the norm, but I think on balance of the way we have played in the other games, these seem to be the aberrations.

There were certain posters on here delighted with our win at Norwich. Three days later they're questioning Lerner's commitment to the club.

[walsall villain]

I have absolute, evangelical support for him, and the reserves getting a tattering in the League Cup isn't going to change it in a hurry.

Agree. I didn't want to see players who are carrying knocks being risked, already lost two key players.
I felt at no stage did they give up, kept trying to play. Obviously wasn't happy to see us lose but the team we put out weren't exactly youth team players. Spurs rested many too but their squad is very strong now.
Big disappointment for me is that excluding the Bale money and what they used it for, we have a greater outlay on players than they have in the last 5 years. Boy, have we wasted it in that time.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I do like him, I'm worried about his ability to set up a defence. We have not been good for quite a while. I just wish he'd have brought some experienced lads instead of "young hungry players" I wonder how much of that is down to the chairman, I can't see the benefit of changing managers every season. Our home form is really shit but it has been for quite some time so that's not so  much of a Lambert problem

[mike]

I just wish the process was a bit more incremental, ie a few experienced players to support/ lead the youth. I also don't think he bought enough defenders and spent a lot of what money he had on a striker when we already had Benteke, Gabby and Weimann.

I certainly don't think we should be giving up on him but I also don't think he's got everything right.

[rob_bridge]

No I don't see it as "weaker team" played. Most who did not were still to prove themselves. Furthermore Chelsea were not a stronger team than us in that period.

Bosnich, Southgate,  Collymore, Thompson, Vassell and Merson were yet to prove themselves and the team that the year before had finished fourth (we were eighth) and won the Cup Winners Cup, then finished third that season (we were sixth)  weren't stronger than us ?

I remember watching that game live on SKY in the pub. I was shocked by three things. The fact we played our second eleven. The fact Chelsea played there second eleven. The difference in quality between those two second elevens. Little did I know how much it was an indication of the future.

IIRC the Chelsea reserves beat Arsenal (Champions) reserves 5-0 in a subsequent round