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

[Clampy]

Reports of a takeover, coaches suspended, hopefully things are looking up!!!

JFK blown away, what more do I have to say.

We didn't open the biscuits............

[The Laughing Policeman]

The last paragraph in the Telegraph's Villa for sale piece is interesting..................

Lambert has admitted Villa must change their policy of spending small fees on inexperienced youngsters and instead invest in strong players to avoid even more pain in the future.

Going by what was said in the clubs financial report earlier on about the club continuing to be prudent in the transfer market, that paragraph might be stolen from his resignation letter.

[Rico]

Personally I hope he's gone by the start of next season, and if Randy Lerner is not going to change his views on austerity then I hope he's gone too. In my view Lambert should have walked after the Bradford debacle.  To lose to a fourth tier team over two legs was unforgivable,  and the shambolic tactics of the return leg at Villa Park were incredible.  Lets face it if it was happening to another team we would all think it hilarious. I've said it before and will say it again that despite people talking down the size of the Villa job it is in actual fact a huge job that the media and people outside of Birmingham continually try to belittle.  I've lived in Lancashire now for quite a few years and am always suprised whenever I return to Brum that there a claret and blue shirts everywhere.  This level of expectation and pressure seems to take managers by suprise, and unless they are a Ron Saunders type character it invariably crushes them. No more gambles on so called up and coming managers.  We need proven quality.  The trouble is can the current board be trusted to find the right man. If I was them I'd pay Graham Taylor, Brian Little and Sid Cowans a consulting fee to come up with a list of candidates.

[silhillvilla]

I think we need a "villa man" at the helm next time and a sir Graham type aswell as a DoF .
John Gregory anyone ? Doing a great job at Crawley

[dave.woodhall]

I've said it before and will say it again that despite people talking down the size of the Villa job it is in actual fact a huge job that the media and people outside of Birmingham continually try to belittle.  I've lived in Lancashire now for quite a few years and am always suprised whenever I return to Brum that there a claret and blue shirts everywhere.  This level of expectation and pressure seems to take managers by suprise, and unless they are a Ron Saunders type character it invariably crushes them.

That's a really good point and it ties in with something Terry Weir said years ago - "For twenty miles outside Villa Park we're everything and after that we're nothing." Despite varying levels of trying we've never succeeded in expanding beyond that invisible border.

[silhillvilla]

I've said it before and will say it again that despite people talking down the size of the Villa job it is in actual fact a huge job that the media and people outside of Birmingham continually try to belittle.  I've lived in Lancashire now for quite a few years and am always suprised whenever I return to Brum that there a claret and blue shirts everywhere.  This level of expectation and pressure seems to take managers by suprise, and unless they are a Ron Saunders type character it invariably crushes them.

That's a really good point and it ties in with something Terry Weir said years ago - "For twenty miles outside Villa Park we're everything and after that we're nothing." Despite varying levels of trying we've never succeeded in expanding beyond that invisible border.

Yet it can be done with money as demonstrated by Chelsea and Man CiŁy

[dave.woodhall]

I've said it before and will say it again that despite people talking down the size of the Villa job it is in actual fact a huge job that the media and people outside of Birmingham continually try to belittle.  I've lived in Lancashire now for quite a few years and am always suprised whenever I return to Brum that there a claret and blue shirts everywhere.  This level of expectation and pressure seems to take managers by suprise, and unless they are a Ron Saunders type character it invariably crushes them.

That's a really good point and it ties in with something Terry Weir said years ago - "For twenty miles outside Villa Park we're everything and after that we're nothing." Despite varying levels of trying we've never succeeded in expanding beyond that invisible border.

Yet it can be done with money as demonstrated by Chelsea and Man CiŁy

I wouldn't say either club was nationally massive, certainly not at Liverpool, Manchester United or even Arsenal levels. 

[silhillvilla]

When we played Chelsea pre season in the Far East the other year and the stadium was 90% full of locals in Chelsea shirts that's when it really hit home what they've achieved (even if it's ownly temporary support).

[Rico]

For a brief few years after Randy took over, and with MON's journo budies we became media darlings. But unfortunately it was all too brief.  We need to raise our profile somehow, and short of becoming a top six club for an extended period of time, which in itself is going to cost more money than Randy is willing to invest, then we need to do things to make Villa park a fortress again. The Acorns sponsorship was fantastic and got a lot of coverage.  I'd reinstall the old A.V. floodlights, move the away fans, change that crap badge that we've got now,  give a free villa top to all season ticket holders, offer free entry for certain low profile mid week games or cup games. I know some of those ideas may seem far fetched, but we need to bring the club and the fans back together and get the feel good factor going again.

[silhillvilla]

I'm not sure we can ever be anything more than a big regional side ? The London clubs will always have the exposure as will ManUre sadly. It's as if the UK owe Liverpool a duty to pander to them and the likes of CiŁy aren't going anywhere.

[supertom]

I think we need a "villa man" at the helm next time and a sir Graham type aswell as a DoF .
John Gregory anyone ? Doing a great job at Crawley

Never go back.
I'd have Gregory back at the club, but not as manager. Perhaps an assistant to a younger up and comer. I think as a manager he's too limited. He was 15 years ago, and he'll be more so now. A lot has changed in footy and no amount of soundbite ability will mask that for JG. I think Crawley's about his level now.

It may well be time to think of the DOF route, or whatever you want to call it.

[Holte132]

For a brief few years after Randy took over, and with MON's journo budies we became media darlings. But unfortunately it was all too brief.  We need to raise our profile somehow, and short of becoming a top six club for an extended period of time, which in itself is going to cost more money than Randy is willing to invest, then we need to do things to make Villa park a fortress again. The Acorns sponsorship was fantastic and got a lot of coverage.  I'd reinstall the old A.V. floodlights, move the away fans, change that crap badge that we've got now,  give a free villa top to all season ticket holders, offer free entry for certain low profile mid week games or cup games. I know some of those ideas may seem far fetched, but we need to bring the club and the fans back together and get the feel good factor going again.


Interesting ideas! Where would you move the away fans to - and why do you want to move them from where they are now?

[Rico]

Just to make it more intimidating for away teams.  Maybe put them in the top tier of the Trinity. As I said,  only an idea, just brainstorming.

[Morpheus]

If Lambert does go at the end of the season I'd see how much compensation Derby would be looking for to release McClaren.

Yes we all know what he did with England but he has learned from that. He took himself off to Europe and rebuilt his reputation and he must be admired for that. He has all the experience we would ever need to rebuild our club and likes to play progressive ball to feet football which has been drip fed at our club for far too long now. He is also a proven coach as we've seen in his time at Man U.

Perfect candidate for us in my humble opinion of course.

[supertom]

If Lambert does go at the end of the season I'd see how much compensation Derby would be looking for to release McClaren.

Yes we all know what he did with England but he has learned from that. He took himself off to Europe and rebuilt his reputation and he must be admired for that. He has all the experience we would ever need to rebuild our club and likes to play progressive ball to feet football which has been drip fed at our club for far too long now. He is also a proven coach as we've seen in his time at Man U.

Perfect candidate for us in my humble opinion of course.

Don't think he'd come here after he got rebuffed last time out. Plus it may not have escaped his attention just how unpopular he was among Villa fans as a potential choice 3 years ago. We kicked up a bit of a stink.

Better than Lambert undoubtedly. But still not good enough for the Villa.