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

[Monty]

While we'd probably be safe if we had better players, I still think we'd probably be underperforming given his tactical inadequacies in particular.

It is strange that people thought he was tactically aware when he was at Norwich when he changed formations to suit the occasion, often during matches.  He seems to have lost this.  Is it the players that cannot adapt and can only play one way.  For too long this club has played counter attacking football and relied on individual skill to win games.  Have we forgotten how to play a real team game.

He's tactically aware in certain ways which weren't stretched at Norwich - nobody sat back against them, and he could do his reactive thing all the time, always countering and always into space. He's got no real vision, though, no real ambition to define a way of approaching games when the onus is on him and us to make something happen. This has been thoroughly exposed and he has demonstrated no ability to adapt to this.

[FranzBiberkopf]

His tactics are poor for sure. But when I look at the line-up with a dispassionate eye, it really is a poor line up. Really poor. Any manager would struggle to get that team/squad performing.

No excuses for him though - he bought the fcukers (mostly).

[adrenachrome]

I too have been astounded at the ineptitude of Villa recently but there's part of me that would like to see Lambert given an opportunity to compete in the transfer market at a level that befits the name of Aston Villa. As much as he has taken stick lately, I feel the board and the players have to take on responsibility. Lerner has basically said buy cheap and gamble that some come off. It's a mug's game that has a low rate of success and I really do think that with some 'proper' players we would not have an issue. Then we have some players that have simply not been earning the right to a wage and the privilege of playing for Villa. Gabby has been disgusting this season for someone that is apparently 'one of us'.

Lambert knew that was the gig when he took charge. Bad form crying foul now after two years of failure.

He is obviously a dreadful coach with a horrible philosophy on how the game should be played. Clueless to the point of ridicule on the sideline during games and unable to appropriately manage his direct reports Karsa and Culverhouse. Out of his depth to put it mildly like McLeish before him.

He also seems incredibly naive for a man that has been involved in football all his life. If Harry Redknapp for example had took charge of Villa two years ago he would have had the clout to force Lerner to release money to buy good players. Football management is a game particularly at big clubs like Villa. This bit MON did well at Villa particularly when he came in first, he played the PR game brilliantly, got the 82 side back involved etc. Of course MON took this to extremes and was far too successful wrapping Lerner around his finger while the club debt spiralled out of control. Plus by the end the fans were by and large sick of him.

But the polar opposite Lambert simply played the dumb party line and now his career is in the toilet as a result.

What this club needs - Lerner, Faulkner, Lambert out and "we go again".

It would seem that not only did he know the gig, but he positively embraced it. Probably, his astonishing success at moving Norwich up two divisions and then consolidating in the Prem gave him an inflated sense of his abilities. Certainly his conviction that we would not go down last year was evidence of his belief in the project.

The first we heard that he was even considering signing experienced players was in January. Before then he would would have no truck with the idea and was dismissive if not disdainful. It was a full about turn. Now, he has seen the light. Unfortunately for hm, and maybe for us, the light is at the end of the tunnel  from an express train coming from the other direction.

[SO Villa]

Kevin I think he could have been a better player if he had not been thrown into so many shit or bust games by our esteemed scottish managers.

He could have been a better player if was playing 20 years ago.

He is so uncomfortable on the ball he becomes a liability and I don't think that can be coached out if him.

Baker is the first professional footballer I've ever seen that is incapable of chesting the ball down.

[eamonn]

It was pre-match press conference day today, wasn't it? Did Mumbles have anything of interest to mumble?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think he has simply choked on his first big job. His next job is massive for him or he's done.

My guess is he'll start the new season at Leeds.

[Matt C]

I think he'll head to Celtic. Lennon to Norwich.

[mr underhill]

as long as it's out of VP, who gives a damn

[kippaxvilla2]

I thought it was interesting at yesterday's Press Conference at how he was saying that we need better quality players at a club of our stature going forward.  Now, I think we all agree with this, but, if you were one of the not deemed to be good enough players 'fighting' to keep us in the Premier League against Hull on Saturday, would you be a bit miffed at such comments?

[Brend'Watkins]

It might be a sort of admission that he's bought a load of shit.  As has often been said on here.  He could have used what budget he had to buy the quality required (a decent midfielder a back up defender a decent full back) the other positions could have been filled by the home grown squad.

[Rigadon]

I thought it was interesting at yesterday's Press Conference at how he was saying that we need better quality players at a club of our stature going forward.  Now, I think we all agree with this, but, if you were one of the not deemed to be good enough players 'fighting' to keep us in the Premier League against Hull on Saturday, would you be a bit miffed at such comments?

I thought the same thing.  Shocking timing to bemoan the quality on your squad.

[saunders_heroes]

I thought it was interesting at yesterday's Press Conference at how he was saying that we need better quality players at a club of our stature going forward.  Now, I think we all agree with this, but, if you were one of the not deemed to be good enough players 'fighting' to keep us in the Premier League against Hull on Saturday, would you be a bit miffed at such comments?

I thought the same thing.  Shocking timing to bemoan the quality on your squad.

True. He's waited till the very last minute to bemoan the lack of quality in the squad - something everyone else knew right from the off, yet Lambert still tried to mug us off with the "young and hungry" lie. Too late, Lambert, we wised up to you a long time ago and your time is up.

[OzVilla]

I thought it was interesting at yesterday's Press Conference at how he was saying that we need better quality players at a club of our stature going forward.  Now, I think we all agree with this, but, if you were one of the not deemed to be good enough players 'fighting' to keep us in the Premier League against Hull on Saturday, would you be a bit miffed at such comments?

I thought the same thing.  Shocking timing to bemoan the quality on your squad.

I thought the same thing too.  This press conference was NOT the time for these comments. Maybe next week if we got a decent result but not while we're still fighting for our lives.

I'm beginning to think he ain't the brightest.

[Rigadon]

I thought it was interesting at yesterday's Press Conference at how he was saying that we need better quality players at a club of our stature going forward.  Now, I think we all agree with this, but, if you were one of the not deemed to be good enough players 'fighting' to keep us in the Premier League against Hull on Saturday, would you be a bit miffed at such comments?

I thought the same thing.  Shocking timing to bemoan the quality on your squad.

I thought the same thing too.  This press conference was NOT the time for these comments. Maybe next week if we got a decent result but not while we're still fighting for our lives.

I'm beginning to think he ain't the brightest.

I think your last sentence covers it.

[VinnieChase84]

I think he'll head to Celtic. Lennon to Norwich.

Great shout