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

[Concrete John]

He's having a bad time but has a good record of getting teams to play well and relatively successfully. Anyway, I was just paying due homage to the source of the quote - the content isn't that easy to refute.

I think it's easy if you want to just move it sideways or backwards, running into space ahead of the ball is what we lack and where an upgrade in quality is necessary.

[Ads]

As we saw for ourselves, Swansea are very good at keeping the ball in areas of the pitch where they're welcome to it.

[not3bad]

He's having a bad time but has a good record of getting teams to play well and relatively successfully.

The same thing would have been said in the thread about Paul lambert the season TSM was managing us.  But without the currently having a bad time part.

[Monty]

He's having a bad time but has a good record of getting teams to play well and relatively successfully. Anyway, I was just paying due homage to the source of the quote - the content isn't that easy to refute.

I think it's easy if you want to just move it sideways or backwards, running into space ahead of the ball is what we lack and where an upgrade in quality is necessary.

This is just the problem. Just wanting the ball to be bloody got forward now is the whole issue with our style, just impatience and refusal to keep the ball for anytime and wait. That way you can control the game and try and work opportunities, as opposed to relying on one of your four bludgeons per game getting through.

[Billy Walker]

I'm happy to hear they're thinking ahead and negotiating a new contract with Lambert.  As others have said, stability is important for the club.  Above that, though, I do think Lambert is doing a very good job.  I know performances have been up and down - going from the Liverpool performance to the Everton one in the space of a week is a real frustration but this is where we are for the moment in terms of squad depth and quality.  I'd be happy with a mid-table finish this season  as long as we start to kick on next year - and I think we will.

I'm struggling to comprehend how anyone can think Lambert is doing a very good job.

This article in Bleacher Report explains it much better than I can.

Have a look at this.

[Nastylee]

It's quite laughable really. I've sat at VP watching the team keep possession, pass it backwards to achieve this and be berated by irate fans who shout 'get the *ucker forward'. Ironic really.

[Monty]

It's quite laughable really. I've sat at VP watching the team keep possession, pass it backwards to achieve this and be berated by irate fans who shout 'get the *ucker forward'. Ironic really.

Problem is that they generally listen to those fans and get the *ucker forward, losing the ball - as our possession stats illustrate.

[Witton Warrior]

It's quite laughable really. I've sat at VP watching the team keep possession, pass it backwards to achieve this and be berated by irate fans who shout 'get the *ucker forward'. Ironic really.

Mostly shouting "move into to space!" "pass to (insert Villa player's name)" and "Noooooooooooooooo!" where I am
I must admit I haven't heard many calling for a ball back to Guzan to be pumped up to Benteke - but then that happens anyway

[Chris Smith]

It's quite laughable really. I've sat at VP watching the team keep possession, pass it backwards to achieve this and be berated by irate fans who shout 'get the *ucker forward'. Ironic really.

Problem is that they generally listen to those fans and get the *ucker forward, losing the ball - as our possession stats bear out.

The criticism is that 'hoof' is all we do, which, as Nastylee points out, is a huge exaggeration. We do try to play the right way a lot of the time, but become frustrated by an opposition with 10 men behind the ball and run out of patience. When you consider the rebuilding we have had to do, the relative inexperience of the squad and the disruption we have had through injury to key players, it's hardly a surprise. 

[Monty]

That would be a valid criticism if we played like Swansea are right now, aimless and futile passing for a lot of the game. As it is, we lose patience very, very quickly. If we get a free-kick on the halfway line, it always goes into the box (and, by the way, it hasn't resulted in a single goal). How many times a match do Clark or Baker or Vlaar get the ball in plenty of space at the back, roll it forward underfoot and tee-up a giant launch in the direction of nobody, or pass it back for Guzan to do the same? You can say what you want, and it's true that possession statistics are far from indicators on their own, but the number of times we fail to break 40% is really shocking and thoroughly damning.

[Chris Smith]

That would be a valid criticism if we played like Swansea are right now, aimless and futile passing for a lot of the game. As it is, we lose patience very, very quickly. If we get a free-kick on the halfway line, it always goes into the box (and, by the way, it hasn't resulted in a single goal). How many times a match do Clark or Baker or Vlaar get the ball in plenty of space at the back, roll it forward underfoot and tee-up a giant launch in the direction of nobody, or pass it back for Guzan to do the same? You can say what you want, and it's true that possession statistics are far from indicators on their own, but the number of times we fail to break 40% is really shocking and thoroughly damning.

We'll have to a agree to disagree, it is nowhere near as extreme as you caricature it, but all we are doing is trading the same points phrased slightly differently.

[Monty]

For the record, I don't think he's a longballer in the nihilistic way in which Allardyce and Pulis unforgivably are, but that his impatience gets the better of him. Anyway, we've been at this from breakfast until dinner, which is an odd way to spend the day.

[Legion]

I'm happy to hear they're thinking ahead and negotiating a new contract with Lambert.  As others have said, stability is important for the club.  Above that, though, I do think Lambert is doing a very good job.  I know performances have been up and down - going from the Liverpool performance to the Everton one in the space of a week is a real frustration but this is where we are for the moment in terms of squad depth and quality.  I'd be happy with a mid-table finish this season  as long as we start to kick on next year - and I think we will.

I'm struggling to comprehend how anyone can think Lambert is doing a very good job.

 Have a look at this article, it explains it far better than I can (sorry, can't do links):

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1947632-why-aston-villa-are-right-to-extend-paul-lamberts-deal-despite-fan-unrest

'How to...' in Off Topic gives step-by-step guidance.

[Chris Smith]

For the record, I don't think he's a longballer in the nihilistic way in which Allardyce and Pulis unforgivably are, but that his impatience gets the better of him. Anyway, we've been at this from breakfast until dinner, which is an odd way to spend the day.

It certainly is, I've been working from home and switching between laptops to the point where I am surprised that I haven't sent colleagues my views on our midfield and posted the schedule for comms room rationalisation on here.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I'm pleased about it. I may be in the minority, but I am.