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

[Toronto Villa]

This time last season we were starting to find some form and hit on a style of play that worked well for us - this season I cannot see that happening - the team spirit of late last season just doesn't seem there anymore.

This time last season we'd won one league game in 2 months. We were in worse form than we are now.

But was it not the time when we starting to improve and put a run together - i just can't see us going on that sort of run again especially looking at the fixtures coming up - I expect to end march very close to the relegation zone , if not in it.

I expect us to win a game that we shouldn't win, because we don't do what is expected. As shit as things have been we will win again. I just have no idea against who and when.

[eastie]

Norwich is a huge game - win that and we give ourselves a bit of breathing space with the month ahead - anything less than a win and we will be in dire straits.

[Irish villain]

Also last season  we had played more of the top clubs at this stage - this season we still have several of them left to play.

We still have to play City, Chavski and Manure, and Spurs if you count them.

And the same time last season we still had to play, City, Chavski, Manure, and Liverpool if you count them.

We don't have God awful QPR and Reading back-to-back to help give us some momentum. We have already played piss poor Fulham and Palace and got fecking beat by both!

Has nothing to do with the incorrect point eastie made though.

I can see what eastie  was trying to say though.The order of the fixtures was better last season. Arsenal and Man City coming before a two winnable games and Liverpool, Chelsea and United coming later in the season after we'd had a chance to put points on the board. I am worried our points total will look very bare at the end of March and our confidence totally shot by the time we get into 'must win games' territory.

[PeterWithesShin]

Norwich is a huge game - win that and we give ourselves a bit of breathing space with the month ahead - anything less than a win and we will be in dire straits.

Bet on us to win. It's Money For Nothing.

[Damo70]

Again it will take less than forty points to be safe this year. Possibly even a point or two less than the 39 Sunderland stayed up on last year. Allardyce has also been saying this for weeks. So whoever goes down will absolutely deserve to.

[PaulWinch again]

Norwich is a huge game - win that and we give ourselves a bit of breathing space with the month ahead - anything less than a win and we will be in dire straits.

I don't think it really gives us much breathing space at all, it's just we have to win it.

[Irish villain]

I'd be interested to see how many posters think we will equal last season's 41 point tally.

39 is about all I can see us getting to.

[Pete3206]

As we can't seem to score, I think things will get ugly behind the dugout next Sunday. We absolutely must beat Norwich. There are no excuses left and nowhere for the manager to hide. His team, his tactics, his mess.

Sort it out Mr Lambert.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

If we don't beat Norwich, then I'm sorry but I can't see us staying up with Lambert in charge.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I tweeted this Kevwatson 74 and he said Err sorry no Haha, I don't know anyone at Aston Villa I'm afraid Phil...There we have it

[eastie]

I'd be interested to see how many posters think we will equal last season's 41 point tally.

39 is about all I can see us getting to.

I'd snatch your hand off for 39 - with our gd that would be enough to survive I reckon .

[eastie]

As we can't seem to score, I think things will get ugly behind the dugout next Sunday. We absolutely must beat Norwich. There are no excuses left and nowhere for the manager to hide. His team, his tactics, his mess.

Sort it out Mr Lambert.

I hope that mr culverhouse  doesn't take offence then .

[Isa]

I'm not unreservedly convinced by Koeman. He has achieved some good and some bad things, but he seems to have a touch of the Jols about him, or the Laudrups, that is to say he isn't necessarily the hardest worker of players.

Before Feyenoord, I probably would've agreed. However, one of the things I have been most impressed with during his tenure there are his man-management skills. The motivation, focus and desire of the team in their performances has been key to them overachieving in the league. This also extends to his handling of players individually. He has managed to get the most out of some pretty mediocre players and excellently nurture the players promoted from the academy. In the case of Graziano Pellè, he revitalised his career. Recognising the ability he had only previously shown in rare glimpses and giving him the confidence boost to realise it by moulding the system around him and effectively making him the 'main man' so to speak. He is now arguably the best player in the Eredivisie.

[danlanza]

Norwich is a huge game - win that and we give ourselves a bit of breathing space with the month ahead - anything less than a win and we will be in dire straits.

Bet on us to win. It's Money For Nothing.

Will be ok if we can get some penalty Kicks for free.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm not unreservedly convinced by Koeman. He has achieved some good and some bad things, but he seems to have a touch of the Jols about him, or the Laudrups, that is to say he isn't necessarily the hardest worker of players.

Before Feyenoord, I probably would've agreed. However, one of the things I have been most impressed with during his tenure there are his man-management skills. The motivation, focus and desire of the team in their performances has been key to them overachieving in the league. This also extends to his handling of players individually. He has managed to get the most out of some pretty mediocre players and excellently nurture the players promoted from the academy. In the case of Graziano Pellè, he revitalised his career. Recognising the ability he had only previously shown in rare glimpses and giving him the confidence boost to realise it by moulding the system around him and effectively making him the 'main man' so to speak. He is now arguably the best player in the Eredivisie.

So what you're saying is he's everything Lambert isn't. Interesting.