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

[Toronto Villa]

I thought much same about Gabby during MON's time here.  But in this Villa side he's one of the best players so starts whenever fit for me.

All about opinions, so fair enough .
For me he's a bit too inconsistent , I'd like a bit better quality up front with benteke.

Our best performances as a team usually coincide with Gabby being in the team. His pace and wrk rate consistently unsettle defences, meaning they have to sit deeper and thus create space for others.

he's been slaughtered in some circles for his poor performance against Cardiff but at least he got into all of those positions. He was poor in that he didn't make use of it, but he is a constant threat. On another night we are walking away with a 4-0 win and he has a hattrick. As soon as a defence switches off to Gabby he has the ability to kill them.

[PeterWithesShin]

Having Gabby in the side worries opposition defenders. Sadly he doesn't worry the keeper too often.

[Concrete John]

I'd like to see some of our players when they play alongside better players.

I've often thought this about Westwood a would like to see him alongside an established DCM.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Damo, can you define "decent"?

A finish that means we have improved on both last season's 15th place and last year's total of 41 points.

So 13 points from our remaining 12 games and at least a 14th place finish will keep you happy. Fair enough, I'm just struggling to understand why you and anybody else believe Lambert is the right man to take us forward, never mind giving him a contract extension. Am I missing something other than the 'stability' excuse?

[Toronto Villa]

Having Gabby in the side worries opposition defenders. Sadly he doesn't worry the keeper too often.

His one on one ability has improved a lot. If there is one criticism of him is that given his pace and that in truth he can score pretty much every type of goal outside of the truly spectacular, he doesn't do it enough.

[eastie]

Having Gabby in the side worries opposition defenders. Sadly he doesn't worry the keeper too often.

His one on one ability has improved a lot. If there is one criticism of him is that given his pace and that in truth he can score pretty much every type of goal outside of the truly spectacular, he doesn't do it enough.

Doesn't score anywhere near enough goals to be a regular starter in a striking role for me and  doesn't provide enough assists to be a wideman - his asset is his pace and I think as an option of the bench he would be a threat - i would like to think we would get better quality alongside benteke whether it be another finisher or quality wideman but there are other more important areas to strengthen this summer so I would be surprised if our forward line changes much.

[Chris Smith]

Damo, can you define "decent"?

A finish that means we have improved on both last season's 15th place and last year's total of 41 points.

So 13 points from our remaining 12 games and at least a 14th place finish will keep you happy. Fair enough, I'm just struggling to understand why you and anybody else believe Lambert is the right man to take us forward, never mind giving him a contract extension. Am I missing something other than the 'stability' excuse?

Stability is a reason, not an excuse. Taken as a stand alone argument it probably isn't enough but it is an important factor.

The main factor for me is that I don't think he was appointed for a quick fix. I think he was given the target of stabilising from the previous 3 years of mayhem and then building on that. So far I think we have cleared out the debris and put the foundations in place. The next step is where it gets interesting and will show whether he has what it takes to take us further.

[mr underhill]

tbh we've now had 18 months of mostly madness under Lambert and its not been pretty or very encouraging.

[cheltenhamlion]

I reckon we will be comfortably safe this season and a few places higher.

That gives him another year before I get all antsy.

Not to say I don't have some concerns but now is not the time for the trigger to be pulled. I make my judgement at the end of next season.

I am half reliably informed we have money to shoot with this Summer. Give him that. If it doesn't work out we will still be well away from trouble and thanks for your time.

If it does, that is what we all want.

Stick with it for now but with an eyebrow raised is what I would be telling him if I was Randolph.

[dekko]

I reckon we will be comfortably safe this season and a few places higher.

That gives him another year before I get all antsy.

Not to say I don't have some concerns but now is not the time for the trigger to be pulled. I make my judgement at the end of next season.

I am half reliably informed we have money to shoot with this Summer. Give him that. If it doesn't work out we will still be well away from trouble and thanks for your time.

If it does, that is what we all want.

Stick with it for now but with an eyebrow raised is what I would be telling him if I was Randolph.

This is more or less how I feel.

My biggest issue with Lambert tends to be his tactics, rather than his transfers or more personal stuff.  He seems to want us to play very narrow, and through the middle, but he doesn't have the players at his disposal (eg a creative attacking midfielder) to play that way but he's persisted with it regardless.  Theres having to courage of your convictions, and then theres being too stubborn for your own good.

Its been said a million times, but I think if (BIG IF) he can spend a Benteke/Kozak-sized wedge on 2 or 3 decent players in the summer then I think we'd have a fairly good side.  However, I don't think will have the managerial skill or financial backing to take us anywhere above 8th or so.

I told myself when he came in that I'd try and wait to make a final judgment on the manager at the end of his first 3 years.  My view of the future is that we won't see the doom-and-gloom-everything-is-shit that a lot of people think will happen, but we won't turn into a Brummie-BVB either.  Although unless something happens about the home form I'm gonna lose my shit.

[Ron Manager]

I thought much same about Gabby during MON's time here.  But in this Villa side he's one of the best players so starts whenever fit for me.

All about opinions, so fair enough .
For me he's a bit too inconsistent , I'd like a bit better quality up front with benteke.

Our best performances as a team usually coincide with Gabby being in the team. His pace and wrk rate consistently unsettle defences, meaning they have to sit deeper and thus create space for others.

he's been slaughtered in some circles for his poor performance against Cardiff but at least he got into all of those positions. He was poor in that he didn't make use of it, but he is a constant threat. On another night we are walking away with a 4-0 win and he has a hattrick. As soon as a defence switches off to Gabby he has the ability to kill them.

Has Gabby ever bagged a hat trick for the first team?

[Dave]

I thought much same about Gabby during MON's time here.  But in this Villa side he's one of the best players so starts whenever fit for me.

All about opinions, so fair enough .
For me he's a bit too inconsistent , I'd like a bit better quality up front with benteke.

Our best performances as a team usually coincide with Gabby being in the team. His pace and wrk rate consistently unsettle defences, meaning they have to sit deeper and thus create space for others.

he's been slaughtered in some circles for his poor performance against Cardiff but at least he got into all of those positions. He was poor in that he didn't make use of it, but he is a constant threat. On another night we are walking away with a 4-0 win and he has a hattrick. As soon as a defence switches off to Gabby he has the ability to kill them.

Has Gabby ever bagged a hat trick for the first team?

Man City at home, opening day two-thousand and something.

[dekko]

Has Gabby ever bagged a hat trick for the first team?

Man City at home, opening day two-thousand and something.

Also it was a perfect hatrick, left foot right foot header.

[Toronto Villa]

Has Gabby ever bagged a hat trick for the first team?

Man City at home, opening day two-thousand and something.

Also it was a perfect hatrick, left foot right foot header.

a thing of absolute beauty too. Three top goals

[Caiphus]

All three within 8mins as well... sploosh