The Paul Lambert thread - poll reset after our capitulation to Hull

[SoccerHQ]

With the points totals, yes it will vary from season to season but surely the essence remains of under 40 points- will be struggling against relegation and really manager should be sacked, 40-45, comfortably mid table and maybe signs of progession (see last season), 45-50 points, pushing top 10 and the sort of season I was looking for really this time out and 50 + points excellent season and in the top 8 no issue.

Generally those points ranges get you a certain place in the league. When I look at the 9th place team in the league and see them on 46 points and given their form they'll probably finish around that figure I just don't understand why that seems a near impossible figure for us to reach anymore in seasons.

Yes top 6 is unrealistic but surely finishing in the top 10 shouldn't be if you can do that on about 47 points?

[supertom]

With the points totals, yes it will vary from season to season but surely the essence remains of under 40 points- will be struggling against relegation and really manager should be sacked, 40-45, comfortably mid table and maybe signs of progession (see last season), 45-50 points, pushing top 10 and the sort of season I was looking for really this time out and 50 + points excellent season and in the top 8 no issue.

Generally those points ranges get you a certain place in the league. When I look at the 9th place team in the league and see them on 46 points and given their form they'll probably finish around that figure I just don't understand why that seems a near impossible figure for us to reach anymore in seasons.

Yes top 6 is unrealistic but surely finishing in the top 10 shouldn't be if you can do that on about 47 points?

We've got enough quality to be pushing the likes of Southampton and Newcastle. We've a solid enough spine. A better manager, and 3-4 quality additions to our starting 11 and we should be hitting 50 points minimum.

That definitely shouldn't be beyond us next season, but we've got to make a change in management and we've got to buy quality.

[ChicagoLion]

I think it would be a bit unrealistic to expect anything to change on the pitch.

Same players- some of which have been playing poorly all season, some which are not good enough at this level.

Same formation 4-3-3 which he has been our norm

and same useless manager that has been in charge for 2 seasons.

[supertom]

I think it would be a bit unrealistic to expect anything to change on the pitch.

Same players- some of which have been playing poorly all season, some which are not good enough at this level.

Same formation 4-3-3 which he has been our norm

and same useless manager that has been in charge for 2 seasons.

Sadly yes. Still it was nice to dream for a few days.

[rob_bridge]

With the points totals, yes it will vary from season to season but surely the essence remains of under 40 points- will be struggling against relegation and really manager should be sacked, 40-45, comfortably mid table and maybe signs of progession (see last season), 45-50 points, pushing top 10 and the sort of season I was looking for really this time out and 50 + points excellent season and in the top 8 no issue.

Generally those points ranges get you a certain place in the league. When I look at the 9th place team in the league and see them on 46 points and given their form they'll probably finish around that figure I just don't understand why that seems a near impossible figure for us to reach anymore in seasons.

Yes top 6 is unrealistic but surely finishing in the top 10 shouldn't be if you can do that on about 47 points?

We've got enough quality to be pushing the likes of Southampton and Newcastle. We've a solid enough spine. A better manager, and 3-4 quality additions to our starting 11 and we should be hitting 50 points minimum.

That definitely shouldn't be beyond us next season, but we've got to make a change in management and we've got to buy quality.

I doubt we have enough quality currently.

Guzan - top class
Vlaar - good organiser and captain
Delph - yep good enough
Benteke - yep when fit

Others

Okore / Kozak - both could make it. I am reasonably confident
Lowton / Westwood - yep possible with guidance.

The rest - not for me other than the odd squad player e.g. Bacuna.

Clear out required - Bennett, Luna, Clark, Baker, Albrighton, Gabby, Tonev, Bowery as a start

[Morpheus]

Lambert's view on our season so far.

[rob_bridge]

Lambert's view on our season so far.

Very good

[pooligan]

Excellant

[pauliewalnuts]

I am starting to wonder whether we can really afford to carry the likes of Gabby if we are ever going to progress. Three league goals this season, that's really not very good.

Don't get me wrong, I can see what he adds sometimes but that is very rarely these days, and as he's likely one of the top earners, I just wonder if a club in our position can afford to carry a player whose contribution is that shaky.

Do we need to start to be brutally honest about the likes of Gabby?

[Richard E]

I am starting to wonder whether we can really afford to carry the likes of Gabby if we are ever going to progress. Three league goals this season, that's really not very good.

Don't get me wrong, I can see what he adds sometimes but that is very rarely these days, and as he's likely one of the top earners, I just wonder if a club in our position can afford to carry a player whose contribution is that shaky.

Do we need to start to be brutally honest about the likes of Gabby?

I'm afraid so. Kozak has scored more goals than him this season and he's been injured for donkey's. Even Bacuna's scored more than Gabby this year.

[rob_bridge]

I am starting to wonder whether we can really afford to carry the likes of Gabby if we are ever going to progress. Three league goals this season, that's really not very good.

Don't get me wrong, I can see what he adds sometimes but that is very rarely these days, and as he's likely one of the top earners, I just wonder if a club in our position can afford to carry a player whose contribution is that shaky.

Do we need to start to be brutally honest about the likes of Gabby?

We do - he should be moved on. When Heskey had that return we (quite rightly) slaughtered him.

[Monty]

We've still had a year of the most dreadful tactics and the most woefully deficient style. A season of failure like this one under really good management and that would be it, but it's not like the team is scoring bucketloads and he's not (although I take the point about Kozak I think it must be acknowledged that the whole 'style', such as it is, is built around the Big Man).

[Leighton]

Without a doubt. He's a striker. He's scored three goals. He goes missing too often. Not acceptable.

[OCD]

The main thing that Gabby has is that over the years, he's scored some key goals. He just seems to be on easy street though, happy to collect his £60/70k every week and know that he'll be in the team if he's fit. We're not in a position to move him on but we need to be bringing in enough quality that sees him become a squad player.

[rob_bridge]

Without a doubt. He's a striker. He's scored three goals. He goes missing too often. Not acceptable.

Correct - he should be moved on. He isn't worth 20% of what he is currently paid - whatever the 'market' suggests