How would you feel....

[SoccerHQ]

Swansea are missing a shed load through injury (Dyer could've broken his ankle today) and they play us on the back of playing Chelsea away 48 hourse beforehand.

Lambert also gets great results off them, 4 points last season (no idea how we drew and nearly won the away game) and he regularly beat them as Norwich manager.

I agree two home wins in a row seems unlikely so I reckon we'll beat Swansea and draw with Palace. Point at Stoke aswell.

[Damo70]

It is interesting that we are having a pop at Albion for panicking and sacking their manager and then discussing sacking ours. I'm not complacent about our current league position but it is where we are at the moment. Let's see how we do against Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Sunderland.

[Clampy]

It is interesting that we are having a pop at Albion for panicking and sacking their manager and then discussing sacking ours. I'm not complacent about our current league position but it is where we are at the moment. Let's see how we do against Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Sunderland.

This.

[eastie]

It is interesting that we are having a pop at Albion for panicking and sacking their manager and then discussing sacking ours. I'm not complacent about our current league position but it is where we are at the moment. Let's see how we do against Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Sunderland.

Not sure I'd call 31 points from 34 games this year a panic sacking considering he was backed in the summer financially.

[Big Dick Edwards]

Lambert's career managerial record suggests he can be a success but if he's seriously hampered in who he signs by player wage expectations it's Lerner who should be facing the music. I, like many season ticket holders have tolerated cutbacks on the field for the last few years as a necessary medicine but this can't go on indefinitely. We have to at least attempt to compete with the likes of Everton in the long run. We're Aston Villa for God's sake, not Norwich, Hull or Swansea.

[Ian.]

It is interesting that we are having a pop at Albion for panicking and sacking their manager and then discussing sacking ours. I'm not complacent about our current league position but it is where we are at the moment. Let's see how we do against Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Sunderland.

Not sure I'd call 31 points from 34 games this year a panic sacking considering he was backed in the summer financially.

Yes but he was backed to improve the squad in numbers. The money he spent is peanuts for this division. Look around at transfer fees and more importantly the wages on offer elsewhere.
Maybe he should have blown the budget on one player instead?

It's not great I agree and its disappointing that we finished well last season playing some good football, if a little gungho at times.  I'm really surprised how we can not score after the way ended last season and the goals drying up from Benteke is really having a knock on effect with confidence. I just really hope he gets one soon and the floodgates open. When he's on fire he was so good last season and anything can happen.

[Phil from the upper holte]

If shaking him all about means getting him to sort this mess out I'm goin for that. I'm not happy, far from it, we don't seem to be able to sort the basics. We can't defend, we can't score the midfield is useless. But while randy is here no point in sacking him because he's not backing the managers anymore. Westwood, Lowton, Weimann are all having second season syndrome, I'm sick off all this young hungry bullshit. Why can't we take a free kick or a corner. Why can't we pass the ball 6 yards? Why can't we take a god damn throw in? All this needs to be answered for 

[eastie]

It is interesting that we are having a pop at Albion for panicking and sacking their manager and then discussing sacking ours. I'm not complacent about our current league position but it is where we are at the moment. Let's see how we do against Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Sunderland.

Not sure I'd call 31 points from 34 games this year a panic sacking considering he was backed in the summer financially.

Yes but he was backed to improve the squad in numbers. The money he spent is peanuts for this division. Look around at transfer fees and more importantly the wages on offer elsewhere.
Maybe he should have blown the budget on one player instead?

It's not great I agree and its disappointing that we finished well last season playing some good football, if a little gungho at times.  I'm really surprised how we can not score after the way ended last season and the goals drying up from Benteke is really having a knock on effect with confidence. I just really hope he gets one soon and the floodgates open. When he's on fire he was so good last season and anything can happen.

I was referring to Clarke's sacking and your comment about them panicking - 31 points from 34 games is dreadful.

[Ian.]

Sorry Eastie I misread your comments. I thought you had meant Lambert had been backed.

[ez]

I'd be disappointed I didn't get to see that 'something special' he was building.

[Damo70]

I disagree with Clarke's sacking but he has had a poor 2013. I would suggest that Lambert has had a decent 2013 points wise.

[ozzjim]

Lambert's career managerial record suggests he can be a success but if he's seriously hampered in who he signs by player wage expectations it's Lerner who should be facing the music. I, like many season ticket holders have tolerated cutbacks on the field for the last few years as a necessary medicine but this can't go on indefinitely. We have to at least attempt to compete with the likes of Everton in the long run. We're Aston Villa for God's sake, not Norwich, Hull or Swansea.

I think this is where Lambert gets out of jail. He has bought the way he has because it has been imposed on him to do so. Cut him 15 million and the wages for 3 better players in Jan of prem quality, and then if they are not good enough and there is no improvement hang him for it, but it would be wrong to do so without that opportunity.

It was a diabolical squad, he had awful luck last season, and with Okore, Benteke losing form and Vlaar he has had similar this. Time. He is a capable manager IMO.

[eastie]

I still feel that we could all see that we needed a creative playmaker for the last 18 months and it hasn't been addressed - I'm not sure Kozak and helenius were a priority compared to the woeful lack of creativity in midfield.

[David_Nab]

My concern is who would replace him .I recall last season a sports reporter name escapes me now but basically said we were lucky to have Lambert as no one would take the job based on the budget that was being offered.

I'm not happy with the performances of late but really finances to make a difference.Would Rodgers do a good job with us ? Doing great at Liverpool but he inhertad a world class player in Suarez and has spent millions (Joe Allen cost around the same as our first 11 today ) Martinez did well at Wigan but constantly fought and ultimately lost the fight of relegation.Now at Everton walked into decent squad then had backing to bring players in and is now a top 4 contender.

In conclusion he could do better but I doubt as a ambitious manager he would be picking up players to play in the Prem League who barely cost a million if his hand wasn't being forced.It seems now after the MON years we are being ultra cautious for me the problem is we are risking our PL place and also surely by constantly performing badly making the club less marketable and thus losing income.

[Toronto Villa]

In some respects he's been let down by his players, but the bottom line he is responsible for the side that he sends and the manner in which they approach the game. This is now mostly his side and he has to set the tone before they leave the dressing room. That we have now barely come close to 40% possession is on the manager and if he doesn't want us to lose the ball then that is all we should be practicing during the week. It is the biggest thing that is threatening to derail what has been a promising start to the season.

The next few weeks gives us an opportunity to look in the mirror and make some additions to the side that will make a difference. If he persists in sticking to the current plan of player acquisition then he shouldn't be surprised if at the end of the season his own position is in question. As manager he needs to go to the board ahead of January and tell them that we need some players of proven ability to rescue this season. I don't think it will need much to turn it around but the change to how we play needs to be done quickly or the current circumstances will quickly spiral into a situation that could become very difficult to get out of.