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

[NeilH]

Which begs the question "Do you think they're stupid?"

I am starting to think that I genuinely do believe that, as it happens, yes.

This is what truly frightens me. Despite the chants at Palace at the weekend, there has been nowhere near the visceral abuse that McLeish got. After the Fulham game, the players finished to a half empty stadium and muted boos. I genuinely think that this is giving Faulkner all the justification he needs to tell Randy that things are still ok and that they should carry on with their ‘experiment.’ Of course, given that Randy has not stepped foot near the stadium for eons, he will simply take the word of Faulkner as gospel.
I am honestly worried that unless either there is a very serious response at the weekend or a drastic fall in season ticket renewals, then Lambert will be there next season. It’s a sad reflection of how our once great club is drifting aimlessly, that a manager who is breaking every negative record going still has a decent chance of leading the team out at the beginning of next season.

[Legion]

Well it was "today's Telegraph" when "today" was February 3rd.

Easy mistake to make. That date is somewhat lower down the page.

[SW9-VILLA]

"Randy Lerner is not actively looking to sell the club.”

Quite telling.

[supertom]

Well it was "today's Telegraph" when "today" was February 3rd.

Thank Christ for that. I nearly hit the ceiling reading that.

That would send out entirely the wrong message, that we reward incompetence and mediocrity.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

"Right now everyone connected with Villa is hurting badly.
"A win was in sight last night against Bolton after a strong start and the tenacity the team displayed, although ultimately we weren't able to hold on for the points.
"We very openly acknowledge the frustrations of Villa fans and share in them completely.
"What matters to us and the Board at this moment is how we, as a Club, handle adversity and the pressure it brings.
"Our horizon is the next three games and we continue to be in control of our own destiny.
"Young players side-by-side with more senior players are fighting hard for the Club.
"They are now preparing for West Brom followed by Spurs and Norwich.
"We will continue to support and rely on our manager and the squad and therefore give them our full support.
"We are totally conscious, as is everyone at the Club, that this is a very trying time for those who love Aston Villa.
"We know that the team will continue to fight through every minute of the remaining games and we hope Villa fans will continue to show their great support."

That's the statement from the same person two years ago.

It reads very similarly.

So you're saying that they will sack him.

[brian green]

The cold logic of the situation says he will stay regardless even to the point of us being told he is the best man to bring us back up but there is something funny going on.  The Charlie Nicholas thing was clearly a plant, the "I have got a secret" manoeuvre, the Agincourt speech coming from Faulkner not Lambert or a player.  It does not add up.

[Toronto Villa]

FWIW I don't think they will sack him, either. I think there's pretty much no chance of that happening.

I'll donate a crisp tenner to Martin if results stay similar or the same as they have been and Lambert is manager of our club for pre-season. Care to take me up on that?

[Weedy]

Aston Villa chief executive calls for unity after defeat:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27022679

[sirlordbaltimore]

Well it was "today's Telegraph" when "today" was February 3rd.

Good call, it says Monday 14 April 2014 though

[not3bad]

Well it was "today's Telegraph" when "today" was February 3rd.

Good call, it says Monday 14 April 2014 though

When you access old articles if often has today's date together with the date the article was originally published.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

One of our biggest problems is that although being a Top 6 Net Spender over the last 5 years, we haven't been able to sell many for any decent value and reinvest the money. I can't find a site that gives the figures with seperate columns for Bought and Sold but I'd imagine our Sold total is near peanuts, we've basically had to give players away or they run down their contracts.

Lerner has had to subsidise this shortfall by providing Lambert and previous managers but even two years in to 'The Plan' with the exception of Benteke, there aren't any players in our squad that would bring in much, possibily Delph but that's about it. As Brian stated yesterday, you can trace the problem right back to MON but today we're in a stalemate situation whereby we are solely relying on Lerner to continue to prop up our budget. Our 'commercial' revenue is flat and next season won't see any growth, probably the opposite. Even TV revenue isn't bringing us more than the minimum from the new deal and the less said about prize money for final league position the better.

Looking at our current situation and how the next 12 months will roll out, financially we'll be lucky to repeat this season's figures. I can see the advantage and necessity of trying to reach positive trading, teams like Everton haven't spent a penny on transfers in the last 5 years and are actually in the black.

The real problem is we have to break the cycle by buying, paying and developing young players that can then be traded at least at break even, preferably a profit. Lerner has entrusted this task on a manager that plainly doesn't have the know-how to develop young talent. He may have a good eye for a player but he's pretty damn clueless when it comes to the rest. It makes me laugh to read the Charlie Nicholas quote, does he honestly think any of those players would want to come here. It's not just about wages, it's about where we are as a club.

If Lerner wants to see the club moving forward and put to an end his annual transfer subsidises, he needs to bring in a manager that has the know-how and experience to deliver. When you see a team like Sheff. Utd come to Villa Park and show us what can be achieved with limited players on poxy wages because they are organised, know their jobs and play as a team and with a bit of flair, I think it's fair to say, you realise very quickly that Lambert is not the right man and he should be replaced at the end of the season.

[ozzjim]

FWIW I don't think they will sack him, either. I think there's pretty much no chance of that happening.

Even if he ends up on the same or less points than Mcleish did?

Yes, even if we do worse than McLeish did.

In fact, I think he'd probably still be here if we got relegated.

That's the thing that scares me the most. Not specifically that Lambert will stay, but the degree to which they think they're actually being quite clever with this "strategy" of theirs and that it just needs time and patience.

That statement from Faulkner is his death march. Get safe he is gone I am sure.

[not3bad]

"Right now everyone connected with Villa is hurting badly.
"A win was in sight last night against Bolton after a strong start and the tenacity the team displayed, although ultimately we weren't able to hold on for the points.
"We very openly acknowledge the frustrations of Villa fans and share in them completely.
"What matters to us and the Board at this moment is how we, as a Club, handle adversity and the pressure it brings.
"Our horizon is the next three games and we continue to be in control of our own destiny.
"Young players side-by-side with more senior players are fighting hard for the Club.
"They are now preparing for West Brom followed by Spurs and Norwich.
"We will continue to support and rely on our manager and the squad and therefore give them our full support.
"We are totally conscious, as is everyone at the Club, that this is a very trying time for those who love Aston Villa.
"We know that the team will continue to fight through every minute of the remaining games and we hope Villa fans will continue to show their great support."

That's the statement from the same person two years ago.

It reads very similarly.

So you're saying that they will sack him.

I think the option is definitely on the table. They may be waiting to see what happens in the remaining games.

[Clark W Griswold]

He's got to go in the summer, no question about it. I admit that i wanted him, but it's been pretty much disasterous.

We'll never do anything with Lerner in charge, but people can and do punch above their weight, think Liverpool in the league this season and Newcastle a couple of years ago. Others such as Stoke, Fulham and Swansea in recent years and even the Olbiyun last season have proved that you can surprise a few. A good manager, even despite the non entity of Lerner, could have us comfortably top half and with a chance of a domestic cup. It's just getting the right one, but i'm now convined it's not Lambert.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Which begs the question "Do you think they're stupid?"

I am starting to think that I genuinely do believe that, as it happens, yes.

Brilliant! First real good laugh since Saturday.

I think we'll know over the summer, one way or another, just what they are about. It's not just sacking Lambert, it's also the task of finding his replacement. I'll hold my judgement until then.