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

[Isa]

There are many sticks to beat Lambert with. His transfer record is certainly the smallest.

Seeing as there is a consensus upon the success of only about three of his signings, I'd say that is highly debatable at the very least.

[PaulWinch again]

There are many sticks to beat Lambert with. His transfer record is certainly the smallest.

Seeing as there is a consensus upon the success of only about three of his signings, I'd say that is highly debatable at the very least.

It depends which angle you're taking on it. If you're arguing that we haven't got value for money then I disagree, I'd argue most of the signings we've made have maintained or increased in value since they've been with Villa. However if you want to look at whether the players we've signed are of the required quality then I think there's a strong argument to suggest that the majority don't appear to be.

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I think the cheaper signings have been hit and miss, but then surely that is what you expect? For every Bacuna, you get a Luna, for every Westwood, you get a Tonev.

Who knows, both of those players given time may develop.

His bigger fees; Benteke, Okore and Kozak all look good quality players to me.

[Concrete John]

If it's a fee that includes clauses then that isn't included in the accounts yet. We've spent £42m whether we like the outcome of it or not.

Wrong.

As a contractural liability of the club it will have to be accounted for somewhere.

If it's anything like 42 million then it's a disgrace that we're where we are.

Given that it's £42m to virtually build an entire PL squad, then no it's not.

[not3bad]

Just my feeling but I think Lambert's realised his mistake with Tonev, Bowery and Luna.  Just wondering when the penny will drop with KEA.

[Concrete John]

Just my feeling but I think Lambert's realised his mistake with Tonev, Bowery and Luna.  Just wondering when the penny will drop with KEA.

I think you might be right there, but it's more a case of gambles that didn't pay than it is actual mistakes, particularly in the case of Bowery.

[Chris Smith]

We're in danger of slipping into the realms of angels on pinhead territory with this one, arguing over small differences in reported valuations.

On the wider point, over the years I have seen numerous signings lauded after an instant impact but who fail to convince in the long term and similarly slow starters who become important players. It's true of all managers and all clubs.

[Dante Lavelli]

Which isn't accounted in the same place as the transfer fee's, of which we have paid £42m according to the accounts.

Would you be able to post a link to the accounts as the last set I saw were on the Swiss Ramble and are ages old?
Serious question.  And thank you in advance.

[PaulWinch again]

We're in danger of slipping into the realms of angels on pinhead territory with this one, arguing over small differences in reported valuations.

On the wider point, over the years I have seen numerous signings lauded after an instant impact but who fail to convince in the long term and similarly slow starters who become important players. It's true of all managers and all clubs.

That's true as well, I do however think that we need to be prepared to spend money on a higher quality of player if we're going to progress. As I said I don't really think that's a stick to beat Lambert with. I'd argue our failings at home, tactical errors and the fact we're going for yet another slump are issues that can be raised more easily against the manager.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

There are many sticks to beat Lambert with. His transfer record is certainly the smallest.

Seeing as there is a consensus upon the success of only about three of his signings, I'd say that is highly debatable at the very least.

Consensus? I must have missed that. The point I was making is that all his signings* have at one time or another, shown great potential but have failed to demonstrate a level of consistency or development. If the club are to have a strategy of signing young, promising players they need a specialised leader to make it work. That person would need to have more than anything, great coaching ability, tactical vision and experience not only to develop the potential but also deal with the pressure of week in, week out games that ensure we progress as a team.

For me Lambert is not that man, he's learning on the job. If I was to compare him to one of our players it would be Lowton. Took a long time to get going but last season finished the season on a massive high. Nobody can understand what's happened to him this season. Is he replaceable? Absolutely. Are there better alternatives out there? Most certainly. Should we wait in the hope that he'll eventually come good again? I certainly don't think so.

*The only player that hasn't looked like a decent signing is Tonev but as Chris Smith said above, some players make "an instant impact but who fail to convince in the long term and similarly slow starters who become important players". That may be the case with Tonev. Technically, he's great with the ball at his feet, running at defences, it's only his final ball that let's him down. He reminds me of Tony Morley when we first signed him from Burnley, his head would go down and he'd go charging up the pitch only to let himself down with his final ball. He didn't turn out too badly, did he?

[mike]

If it's a fee that includes clauses then that isn't included in the accounts yet. We've spent £42m whether we like the outcome of it or not.

Wrong.

As a contractural liability of the club it will have to be accounted for somewhere.

If it's anything like 42 million then it's a disgrace that we're where we are.

Given that it's £42m to virtually build an entire PL squad, then no it's not.

He took over a squad which even a manager who, by common consent, is one of the worst in our recent history, had kept in the premiership. Injecting 21 million a season should have yielded more than being 4 points off the relegation spots.

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I fail to see how the first sentence supports the rest of your argument.

[not3bad]

If it's a fee that includes clauses then that isn't included in the accounts yet. We've spent £42m whether we like the outcome of it or not.

Wrong.

As a contractural liability of the club it will have to be accounted for somewhere.

If it's anything like 42 million then it's a disgrace that we're where we are.

Given that it's £42m to virtually build an entire PL squad, then no it's not.

He took over a squad which even a manager who, by common consent, is one of the worst in our recent history, had kept in the premiership. Injecting 21 million a season should have yielded more than being 4 points off the relegation spots.

Sorry but that logic just doesn't work.  How many of that manager's squad are still here?    You're talking like he took an existing squad and augmented it but that's not the case.

[Concrete John]

If it's a fee that includes clauses then that isn't included in the accounts yet. We've spent £42m whether we like the outcome of it or not.

Wrong.

As a contractural liability of the club it will have to be accounted for somewhere.

If it's anything like 42 million then it's a disgrace that we're where we are.

Given that it's £42m to virtually build an entire PL squad, then no it's not.

He took over a squad which even a manager who, by common consent, is one of the worst in our recent history, had kept in the premiership. Injecting 21 million a season should have yielded more than being 4 points off the relegation spots.

Good bad or infifferent, that squad is virtually now all gone and for very little money, hence the need to buy almost an entire new squad for what works out at an average of around £2.3m per player, which is quite modest in PL terms. 

[Chico Hamilton III]

"no quick fixes at this club" he told us this week, less than a month after Grant Holt started puffing and panting his way round Bodymore Heath.

The more I think of Lambert, the more I reckon he's playing us for idiots, trying to hold on to his job by telling us that he's implementing a long term strategy. I wouldn't trust him with another penny in the transfer market either.

I'd let him carry on with his baffling, alehouse, long-ball shit until the end of the season, hopefully just keeping our heads above the waterline, before sacking straight after the final whistle on the last game. I really hate him. let him take his project and fuck off to some other mugs with it. Can't imagine any half decent premier league side wanting to touch him.