Confidence In The Manager

[supertom]

I think Lambert can be very proud of that. He switched things up. Largely it did the job in the first half in terms of defence. We restricted them, but invited too much pressure. Second half with a bit of HT inspiration we were a bit more adventurous. Also after effectively throwing the League Cup game (all team selection issues aside we just didn't even look like we wanted to win), this was a game that Lambert had to get at least a point to justify midweek. We got all three, somewhat inexplicably, but we got them.

It doesn't particularly matter whether we didn't always look convincing. Lambert played his hand and he won. Did we have some luck? Absolutely. Did we defend well? Largely. Did we work our bollocks off for it? Absolutely. Well deserved and it's been a long time coming to see a good win like that against top opposition at VP.

Bacuna looks a good find. Kozak really took a battering but kept going. He'll have easier games and I think he'll bang a few in while Tekkers is out.  Karim looked a good player again in the second half. Wiemann just came alive all of a sudden and won us the game. Much more like the player he was in the first two games. Firstly winning a free kick through sheer force of will, and then with his goal. That will do him the world of good because he's been below par this season. I also just think that he's a better player when he's more central. He's not a wide man. He's a fill-in wide man. That goal showed exactly the sort of predatory potential that Andi has. I can see him spanking in a few nice goals in the coming games.

[paul_e]

As I said earlier, I think the amount of pressure we applied on the ball in the 2nd half was a direct consequence of the way we played in the first half, fend them off and let them play in front of us for a half and keep our energy levels high, then hit them with an all-action aggressive 2nd half and really go at them.  It seems to be the game plan in the tougher games as I just don't believe that it takes a half time talking to to get the players fired up, I think it's an acceptance that you can't do it for 90minutes and it's better to finish strong than it is to start strong and wilt.

[QBVILLA]

Four goals and six points gained without Benteke on the pitch. That in itself is an achievement.

[eamonn]

We were missing Westwood but I'm not sure he's first choice anymore. He's been under-par this season. The only first choice in midfield now is and should be Delph.

[eastie]

We were missing Westwood but I'm not sure he's first choice anymore. He's been under-par this season. The only first choice in midfield now is and should be Delph.

The onus is on those in possession to perform and the three on Saturday did so , Westwood will have to wait for a chance but its good competition and keeps everyone on their toes.

[Mister E]

As I said earlier, I think the amount of pressure we applied on the ball in the 2nd half was a direct consequence of the way we played in the first half, fend them off and let them play in front of us for a half and keep our energy levels high, then hit them with an all-action aggressive 2nd half and really go at them.  It seems to be the game plan in the tougher games as I just don't believe that it takes a half time talking to to get the players fired up, I think it's an acceptance that you can't do it for 90minutes and it's better to finish strong than it is to start strong and wilt.

Agree with this - we have to find ways of maintaining the pressing game: this may come when all are fit and acclimatised to the Premiership.
We also need to make better use of the players on the bench to achieve the in-their-faces approach (TBF, Lambert did this with Bowery on Saturday and we need to do it more so).

[OCD]

As I said earlier, I think the amount of pressure we applied on the ball in the 2nd half was a direct consequence of the way we played in the first half, fend them off and let them play in front of us for a half and keep our energy levels high, then hit them with an all-action aggressive 2nd half and really go at them.  It seems to be the game plan in the tougher games as I just don't believe that it takes a half time talking to to get the players fired up, I think it's an acceptance that you can't do it for 90minutes and it's better to finish strong than it is to start strong and wilt.

There might be something in that. Last season we had a really good record when looking at the half-time scores but we often came unstuck in the second halves.

[not3bad]

We were missing Westwood but I'm not sure he's first choice anymore. He's been under-par this season. The only first choice in midfield now is and should be Delph.

The onus is on those in possession to perform and the three on Saturday did so , Westwood will have to wait for a chance but its good competition and keeps everyone on their toes.

Delph is the new Westwood consistency wise.

[silhillvilla]

3 wins in a row would be a great achievement by all.

[Mister E]

3 wins in a row would be a great achievement by all.

3 league wins in a row would be great.
Let's hope you see at Hull - unfortunately the club won't sell me a ticket for Saturday because I don't have the away history - annoying since I'm only an hour away from the game.

[Brian Taylor]

Total confidence..We have to keep him now! Bacuna? What a buy!!

[ChicagoLion]

Did we play well yesterday ? Genuine question.

If you were wearing very dark Claret and Blue spectacles which managed to blur everything other than Villa attacking defending and scoring we outplayed them by Miles.

What we did do was work hard "keep going" and got a bit of luck.

[danlanza]

Total confidence in Lambert, total confidence. In 3 years time we will be top 4-6. Just my view, again

[tomd2103]

We were missing Westwood but I'm not sure he's first choice anymore. He's been under-par this season. The only first choice in midfield now is and should be Delph.

Still think Westwood, Deph and Sylla is our best midfield three when all are on form.  Westwood needs the athleticism of Sylla and Delph around him though, as I don't think he quite has the mobility of most top flight midfielders. 

[supertom]

We were missing Westwood but I'm not sure he's first choice anymore. He's been under-par this season. The only first choice in midfield now is and should be Delph.

Still think Westwood, Deph and Sylla is our best midfield three when all are on form.  Westwood needs the athleticism of Sylla and Delph around him though, as I don't think he quite has the mobility of most top flight midfielders. 

He definitely doesn't have the mobility. Nor does KEA, which is why I think it doesn't quite look right when both play.