Charles N'zogbia update

[nick harper]

If Lambert's starting premise was that he needed to change the culture of the club then it makes sense to isolate those players that would make the process more difficult. It is a very difficult thing to achieve amongst a group just by grafting in a few new players every now and then and hoping things will change for the better. The new guys are just sucked into the existing mentality and nothing really changes. In part this is what happened to McLeish.

If that was the thinking it was the right thing to do. Lambert can take a fair bit of stick for a few things, but he got that bit very right. By the end of his first season he'd got a group of players playing with an esprit de corps that I haven't seen at Villa in a long time. Things seem to have gone nipples up this time around, but it was still the right thing t do.

It is only natural that with things going badly those excluded should suddenly possess qualities they have not previously demonstrated, but in two years at the club how many games has NZogbia delivered true influence? So few they can probably still be recalled. He's had less impact than Bacuna has managed in less than half the time.

The fact is some players get cut more slack than others. I like NZog personally and there were games towards the end of last season where he was a big influence for us. I admit he has not delivered £10m of value and has been very unlucky with his injury but it's crazy to write off a player with such talent.

What has Agbonlahor delivered in the last 9 months? Nothing like what he should have given his seniority but he's on for a new contract. I don't understand what's going on at the club.

[Ron Manager]

If Lambert's starting premise was that he needed to change the culture of the club then it makes sense to isolate those players that would make the process more difficult. It is a very difficult thing to achieve amongst a group just by grafting in a few new players every now and then and hoping things will change for the better. The new guys are just sucked into the existing mentality and nothing really changes. In part this is what happened to McLeish.

If that was the thinking it was the right thing to do. Lambert can take a fair bit of stick for a few things, but he got that bit very right. By the end of his first season he'd got a group of players playing with an esprit de corps that I haven't seen at Villa in a long time. Things seem to have gone nipples up this time around, but it was still the right thing t do.

It is only natural that with things going badly those excluded should suddenly possess qualities they have not previously demonstrated, but in two years at the club how many games has NZogbia delivered true influence? So few they can probably still be recalled. He's had less impact than Bacuna has managed in less than half the time.

Thats more or less spot on Steve. It happened in the fifties when the young Danny Blanchflower arrived at Villa Park.He was intelligent and wanted the club to progress . He was not afraid to speak his mind. Certain players who had been there for some years and were used to an easy life where nothing changed from week to week didnt like this at all. Blanchflower realising he was fighting a losing battle moved on to Spurs and won practically everything!

So Lambert did the right thing but doesnt appear to have much else in his locker. In essence, with the mainly dreadful results,he has failed.

[Somniloquism]

I would say he has failed a drug test and that's the reason for lack of involvement.

According to Kendrick and others,  he and Lambert had a falling out during the last end-of-season awards dinner. Let's not forget that he was stripped of his shirt-number even before the injury.

Funny that as the injury was in June and no squad numbers were issued until August.

[ROBBO]

Gabby a four year deal what for long service ? it certainly isn't for his form over the last six months. This sends out a terrible message that mediocrity will be rewarded. Weiman is he the managers love child? unbelievable that he keeps his place. Lambert said in interview that he thought we were in it, for christs sake we were playing the worst team in the league or near enough.

[Somniloquism]

If N'Zogbia is fit, get him in the squad and use him. We are crying out for options.

That is the big thing at the moment. The word If. The argument seems to have stemmed from the Villa fan stating he should be at VP instead of on holiday to support the players and to regain his fitness. There is no comment from N'Zog to actually say he is fit and everyone has jumped on this thread then to blame all and sundry.

I would want him playing IF fit, however I'm also aware that a fully fit N'Zog has been adequate the last few seasons, not brilliant. What would an unfit, barely played N'Zog be like?

[shipscat]

Well there's 50,000 reasons why N'Zog should be busting a gut to get fit,mend some bridges or at least give the impression that he's bothered about his career.If I was his agent I'd be livid with the whole episode,and he's the fellow that the N'Zog listens to.

However,I find utterly unprofessional on Lambert's,or whomever has dictated this action, part to ostracize and neglect an asset of Villa.At times last season N'Zogbia appeared lost,but he did contribute positively towards the end of the season,West Ham at home he basically won us 3 vital points.I'm sure there's a role for him,if only as a game changer off the bench,we're hardly awash with creative options.

Basically we can't move him on without undertaking another financial hit,so why not get the most out of him.Agreed he gives the prima impression,but what element of Lambert's job is to create the right environment for all to flourish?

Think we're all of the understanding or opinion at part of his initial brief was to cut the wage bill,maximise  the selling assets whilst improving the state of play on the pitch,but surely it should've been just as important to receive as much back as possible on our playing assets he inherited.For all our efforts,we've received back the footballing equivalent of two bob for Ireland,and to be fair a decent loan return for Bent.Everyone else,Square root of diddly squat.Hence the never ending squeeze.

[Steve R]

can you imagine adopting the 'bomb squad' approach in any other business?

Madness.  I'm afraid there are twats in any workplace, you just have to deal with them. Maybe its time Lambert looked at himself, he's the guy that should be isolated from the rest of the club.

Football isn't like any other business. In this case employment law pretty much precludes an overt  'bomb squad' type approach.  Why this should be so could be down to the nature of players contracts or perhaps the 'victims' aren't that disappointed to find themselves being paid a few million a year to do nothing other than take the odd holiday in Morocco. Which is part of the problem Lambert was trying to deal with in the first place.

Changing the culture of an organisation amounts to a whole lot more than dealing with a few 'twats'.

[JUAN PABLO]

I watched Bill Kenwright in the stands and no matter wht you may think of him he is passionate about Everton

He looked like he was crying at the end , welling up with the result.

[eamonn]

The theatre impressario has wandering hands I've heard, from a theatre employee. That's not libellous as well is it? 

[CJ]

I would say he has failed a drug test and that's the reason for lack of involvement.

According to Kendrick and others,  he and Lambert had a falling out during the last end-of-season awards dinner. Let's not forget that he was stripped of his shirt-number even before the injury.

Funny that as the injury was in June and no squad numbers were issued until August.

I thought he lost the number 10 shirt in the summer and started the season with the number 36 (which he's now lost). Can't help feeling there's more to this than is being let on

[supertom]

Zoggy is only 28 this year. He's still in his prime. He should be busting a gut to try and salvage his top flight career. I would hope that once he gets fit (I don't think there's any conspiracy at all) he'll try to make it work with us.

Who knows, if we're under new management come July (hopefully), someone like N'Zogbia will start with a clean slate, and you then have a very talented player at your disposal. If someone can get the best out of him, we've a hell of a player there, and it could save us spending 10 million in the transfer window, that we could spend in other positions.
Likewise, Bent won't have many takers on a permanent, a new man might think it worthwhile keeping him around the squad next year, or until Jan, to cover for Benteke's absence. Benty could still prove useful as an impact sub. We've fluffed chances of late that in fairness, Benty probably would have buried.

We've got Given on the books still. If we can't sell him, or get him on a loan for a full season, use him. He's better as a back up than Steer.

As for Hutton...well...I won't go there.

[eamonn]

It is only natural that with things going badly those excluded should suddenly possess qualities they have not previously demonstrated, but in two years at the club how many games has NZogbia delivered true influence? So few they can probably still be recalled. He's had less impact than Bacuna has managed in less than half the time.

In fairness, Bacunas positional walkabouts at right back have cost possibly as many goals as he's scored.

[JUAN PABLO]

Expect Martinez to buy him and he will have a cracking season

I still think Lambert did not want Marc Albrighton here neither , he has had to suck egg a bit because he looks better recently than most of his signings. 

[Malandro]

can you imagine adopting the 'bomb squad' approach in any other business?

Madness.  I'm afraid there are twats in any workplace, you just have to deal with them. Maybe its time Lambert looked at himself, he's the guy that should be isolated from the rest of the club.

Football isn't like any other business. In this case employment law pretty much precludes an overt  'bomb squad' type approach.  Why this should be so could be down to the nature of players contracts or perhaps the 'victims' aren't that disappointed to find themselves being paid a few million a year to do nothing other than take the odd holiday in Morocco. Which is part of the problem Lambert was trying to deal with in the first place.

Changing the culture of an organisation amounts to a whole lot more than dealing with a few 'twats'.

We must have been darn unlucky with Dunne, Given, N'Zogbia, Hutton and Bent. Either that or the manager is the t$at

[supertom]

Expect Martinez to buy him and he will have a cracking season

I still think Lambert did not want Marc Albrighton here neither , he has had to suck egg a bit because he looks better recently than most of his signings. 

I think this is true. I suspect he plays Marc for want of better options. Probably more so because Marc is a classic winger and Lambert doesn't like using them. I honestly think there's been so many sub appearences from Marc which warranted starting the following game but never happened. It's only now in an injury crisis that the lad might get a run of starts, which he deserves.

It'd also be a shame if Lambert stayed on and decided not to renew Alby's contract. If Lambert than gets turfed out in November/December, we've lost a half decent player in Alby. Half decent is at the high end of our squad too. We should be giving him an extension because he's one of our best creative players. I think given the choice, Lambert would probably buy one of his punts this summer, rather than keeping on Albrighton. Albrighton can have an impact at Premier League level. Whether or not one of Lamberts signings might, is a gamble. A Benteke is gold dust, a Bacuna is rare, and chances are you'll have a Bennett, Tonev or Luna. Personally I'd rather keep hold of the quality we do have, which includes Albrighton.