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

[Clampy]

I think a back 5 at home against Hull would send completely the wrong message to the team and the fans. If we're going to get out of this slump a positive team needs to be playing on Saturday.

Maybe but we're letting in a lot of goals lately, the defence is not playing with very much confidence and were not exactly creating many chances down the other end anyway.  At the end of the day it's important we don't lose the game.

[supertom]

Playing a 5 has never really made us look more solid than a 4. If anything it's just one more person at the back to get in someone elses way or balls up.

Baker and Weimann need dropping at the moment. For the good of the team.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not sure on that, as a draw doesn't actually change our situation that much. I think it would eliminate Cardiff's chances of overtaking us, but that's about it. I also think that packing the defence doesn't stop you conceding goals, it just spreads the responsibility a bit. Baker isn't good enough, whether it's in a 4 or 5 man defence.

[Clampy]

I do think Baker is getting a bit of unfair stick in a much as he's being singled out. The midfield have a lot to answer for as well, at times they have been truly awful.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think Baker is getting a bit of unfair stick in a much as he's being singled out. The midfield have a lot to answer for as well, at times they have been truly awful.

Oh they're rubbish as well and at fault for a lot of our problems. But Baker's lack of positional sense has cost us again and again. I don't dispute his bravery and effort, it's just he is nowhere near good enough to start in the Premier League.

[mr underhill]

enough of the Baker v Clark stuff, nearly 20 people are still convinced Lambert cuts the mustard. nowt stranger than folk.

[not3bad]

enough of the Baker v Clark stuff, nearly 20 people are still convinced Lambert cuts the mustard. nowt stranger than folk.

Enough of the PC phraseology. "Nowt as queer as folk" if you please.

[mr underhill]

I did deliberate on that I'd admit. More tea Vicar?

[eamonn]

I think a back 5 at home against Hull would send completely the wrong message to the team and the fans. If we're going to get out of this slump a positive team needs to be playing on Saturday.

Maybe but we're letting in a lot of goals lately, the defence is not playing with very much confidence and were not exactly creating many chances down the other end anyway.  At the end of the day it's important we don't lose the game.

We lined-up and played for a point against Southampton. I'm expecting something similar. Lambert and the players are scared kittens at the moment and even more-so when Hull Tigers come to town.

[brian green]

Nowt so queer as folk.   So.

[KevinGage]

I do think Baker is getting a bit of unfair stick in a much as he's being singled out. The midfield have a lot to answer for as well, at times they have been truly awful.

It's that, and the way our fullbacks push up. 

There are too many gaps at the back and that isn't (always) down to one man. 

I can see what a Baker on form brings to the side but he has been struggling for a while.   He's played too much this season.   

[brian green]

Kevin I think he could have been a better player if he had not been thrown into so many shit or bust games by our esteemed scottish managers.

[Chris Smith]

Kevin I think he could have been a better player if he had not been thrown into so many shit or bust games by our esteemed scottish managers.

He could have been a better player if was playing 20 years ago.

He is so uncomfortable on the ball he becomes a liability and I don't think that can be coached out if him.

[brontebilly]

Vlaar is not that good either.

We used to have good centre-backs.  How I miss Zat Knight.

Vlaar is at least Premier League standard, the other two aren't.

Watch Vlaar in the world cup. When surrounded by players of equal or better quality I honestly see him easily making it at the next level and wouldnt be surprised to see bids coming in from Arsenal/Everton/Spurs level clubs for him. It takes a player of immense quality such as Laursen to excel when surrounded by substantially weaker players.

Vlaar was the worst defender I saw at the last Euros. He was appalling in a terrible Dutch side.

He marginally beat Richard Dunne to that award imo.

we might have to agree to disagree on this one 

[Nastylee]

I too have been astounded at the ineptitude of Villa recently but there's part of me that would like to see Lambert given an opportunity to compete in the transfer market at a level that befits the name of Aston Villa. As much as he has taken stick lately, I feel the board and the players have to take on responsibility. Lerner has basically said buy cheap and gamble that some come off. It's a mug's game that has a low rate of success and I really do think that with some 'proper' players we would not have an issue. Then we have some players that have simply not been earning the right to a wage and the privilege of playing for Villa. Gabby has been disgusting this season for someone that is apparently 'one of us'.