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

[Brend'Watkins]

Difference between this and last season- last season we sh*t but finished looking good picking up points and thought it would be carried on into this season taking us fwd / upwards. It did not happen. We have looked ok in parts but the last section if this season (unlike last) we have got worse...much worse. We are going backwards.

We've been gong backwards for 4 years. Last year's end of season flurry just papered over the cracks, and I'm surprised how many people fell for it.

You can't deny that Gabby, Weimann and Benteke looked a force at the back end of last season.  Even Sylla looked the part.

[Damo70]

I think we were in the top six of the recent form table from Feb onwards. It looked like a sign of things to come although it was obvious we needed to strengthen in  the summer, particularly in defence. But this season has turned out to be worse on the whole from last year. We haven't let as many goals in and have had some memorable victories but on the whole we have gone backwards.

[old man villa fan]

I think we were in the top six of the recent form table from Feb onwards. It looked like a sign of things to come although it was obvious we needed to strengthen in  the summer, particularly in defence. But this season has turned out to be worse on the whole from last year. We haven't let as many goals in and have had some memorable victories but on the whole we have gone backwards.

Lambert did the obvious last summer and bought players that he thought would strengthen the defence.  The injury to Okore was a major blow and his gamble on Luna failed so he was back to square one.  Where he failed last summer and did not rectify it in January was in signing and experienced player in the centre of the field.  Forget all this fanciful No. 10 thinking, we needed somebody to play it simple but control the centre of the field.  Do this and you beat most teams at the bottom of the table.  It puts you into mid table and a platform to build on with the likes of Benteke.

What we have been left with is a weak midfield that cannot play from the back to the front and vice versa.  I do not think I can remember us continually have a gap between the midfield and the forwards going forwards and a gap between the midfield and the defence when having to defend.

[ozzjim]

I would agree. Amazed Clark has not been sat in front of the back 4 as a holding mid

[Mister E]

... and experienced player in the centre of the field.  Forget all this fanciful No. 10 thinking, we needed somebody to play it simple but control the centre of the field.  Do this and you beat most teams at the bottom of the table.  It puts you into mid table and a platform to build on with the likes of Benteke.

You're right but I suspect he believed Westwood would be that player; wrongly as it turns out.
The failure was in thinking that he didn't need a seasoned P'ship MF to come in to support the rookies. Huddlestone, Livermore, Shelvey were all available and would have added significant strength to the squad.

[Richard E]

Shelvey...would have added significant strength to the squad.

Possibly the single most deflating words ever posted on Heroes and Villains...especially as they are true.

[not3bad]

Shelvey...would have added significant strength to the squad.

Possibly the single most deflating words ever posted on Heroes and Villains...

They were talking about getting Alan Curbishley in as manager a few pages back...

[old man villa fan]

... and experienced player in the centre of the field.  Forget all this fanciful No. 10 thinking, we needed somebody to play it simple but control the centre of the field.  Do this and you beat most teams at the bottom of the table.  It puts you into mid table and a platform to build on with the likes of Benteke.

You're right but I suspect he believed Westwood would be that player; wrongly as it turns out.
The failure was in thinking that he didn't need a seasoned P'ship MF to come in to support the rookies. Huddlestone, Livermore, Shelvey were all available and would have added significant strength to the squad.

Westwood was never going to be that player.  I was not thinking any of the others you mentioned or any of that type.  First and foremost he needs to be strong, not necessarily big but someone that does not get knocked off the ball and being able to knock opposition players off the ball i.e. somebody that can put himself about a bit without giving fouls away and ending up with a string of bookings.  Playing it simple revolves around 'give and go' and always being available.  I would rather have spent £7m (or whatever amount it was) on a midfield player like this than on Kozak.  However, back up (and possible replacement) for Benteke was still needed.

[Mister E]

... and experienced player in the centre of the field.  Forget all this fanciful No. 10 thinking, we needed somebody to play it simple but control the centre of the field.  Do this and you beat most teams at the bottom of the table.  It puts you into mid table and a platform to build on with the likes of Benteke.

You're right but I suspect he believed Westwood would be that player; wrongly as it turns out.
The failure was in thinking that he didn't need a seasoned P'ship MF to come in to support the rookies. Huddlestone, Livermore, Shelvey were all available and would have added significant strength to the squad.

Westwood was never going to be that player.  I was not thinking any of the others you mentioned or any of that type.  First and foremost he needs to be strong, not necessarily big but someone that does not get knocked off the ball and being able to knock opposition players off the ball i.e. somebody that can put himself about a bit without giving fouls away and ending up with a string of bookings.  Playing it simple revolves around 'give and go' and always being available.  I would rather have spent £7m (or whatever amount it was) on a midfield player like this than on Kozak.  However, back up (and possible replacement) for Benteke was still needed.

agreed about Westwood, and the others mentioned were simply added because they wee available and in our price bracket.
Shelvey might not be everyone's cup of tea but he has played well for Swansea this season in the P'ship and in Europe (and I made that point after our first game against them).

The Kozak money could have been put to better use, agreed. Sadly, Lambert saw Kozak's availability as more important than other options. In the event,Kozak did okay for us, but a class midfielder probably would have brought the best out of our existing striking resources.

[adrenachrome]

I would agree. Amazed Clark has not been sat in front of the back 4 as a holding mid

I have been saying his for the most of the season. Surely, it is was worth trying.

With no effective defensive midfield player clear runs at Baker lead to carnage in our defence.

Maybe PL thought that with a fit Okore we could play a higher line, and after the injury that Sylla might do a job. Whatever he thought, it has worked out very badly for us.

[SamTheMouse]

I would agree. Amazed Clark has not been sat in front of the back 4 as a holding mid

I have been saying his for the most of the season. Surely, it is was worth trying.

With no effective defensive midfield player clear runs at Baker lead to carnage in our defence.

Maybe PL thought that with a fit Okore we could play a higher line, and after the injury that Sylla might do a job. Whatever he thought, it has worked out very badly for us.

He's played Westwood in that role pretty much permanently, which is stupid, because the lad's natural defensive instincts are poor. Anyone playing that role either has to have a good defence behind him in a team playing a possession game, or be prepared to track back and cover ground. Westwood does neither. He's static and once the ball's played beyond him that's it, he's cut out of the game. As an example, Gerrard has adapted to that position very well for the Dippers (*swallows vomit*), and you'll frequently see him popping up with an important tackle in his own area or in the channels, helping out the fullback. Westwood plays in a circle about 10 yards in diameter.

[not3bad]

5 Decisions by Paul Lambert That Have Let Aston Villa Down in 2013-14

[Richard E]

5 Decisions by Paul Lambert That Have Let Aston Villa Down in 2013-14

1. Not resigning.
2. Not handing in his resignation.
3. Not giving in his notice.
4. Not handing in his ticket.
5. Not leaving the Club.

[supertom]

5 Decisions by Paul Lambert That Have Let Aston Villa Down in 2013-14

Wholly agreed on all five points.

[tomd2103]

5 Decisions by Paul Lambert That Have Let Aston Villa Down in 2013-14

Wholly agreed on all five points.

Not sure I do to be honest.  I am not sure playing Marc Albrighton more would have changed too much and he hasn't been able to drop out of form players because there have been no viable replacements in the squad (that's his own fault though to be fair).