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

[Toronto Villa]

it's trust as much as credibility. I don't doubt that Lambert knows the types of players needed to push us on. The question is do we all trust him to be the one to get them and use them properly? the players recently linked are all of the ilk we need, but he's saying this now, way after the fact. He wasn't really saying that before and his insistence on targeting certain types of player last summer makes his statements that much more hollow. If he wanted credibility he would have used the newest batch of academy kids more than he did, and brought in even 1 or 2 more veteran players to help balance the squad. He didn't. I'm not sure now I trust him to do the right thing, significant investment or otherwise.

[LeeB]

Nobody would bat an eyelid if we lose our last two.

That happens we could easily finish 17th as Sunderland can get 4 points from their last two, WBa would need 2 draws and Hull would need a draw.

17th is not a final position any Aston Villa manager should be surviving.

That's true Tom, but neither should we be paying peanuts wages on unproven players, and trying to get by on a bloody shoestring for nigh on four seasons.

I'm a bit torn at the minute. If there's new investment, then he should move on, but if not I'd still keep him.

If there isn't any investment, and if the current financial regime continues, then it won't make a huge difference if we change manager.

I do wonder, though, whether there is now a credibility gap between Lambert and the fanbase, and if it is possible to survive that.

And that, given the shit we've put up with for too long, is not something to take lightly.

I do wonder if my judgement is a bit clouded though by the fact I just like the bloke. He doesn't come close for me to some of the cockweasels we've had managing us, yes we've been largely shit, but he's a the shittest hand of any manager we've had since I've followed the club, and we, and he have at least fucking tried.

At the end of it all, it's now been made crystal clear what his remit was and he has succeeded, again. If he goes, I'd say good luck to him, he can hold his head up.

[Rolta]

`if we buy some decent players we've heard of I think the mood will change towards Lambert quite quickly.

[LeeB]

it's trust as much as credibility. I don't doubt that Lambert knows the types of players needed to push us on. The question is do we all trust him to be the one to get them and use them properly? the players recently linked are all of the ilk we need, but he's saying this now, way after the fact. He wasn't really saying that before and his insistence on targeting certain types of player last summer makes his statements that much more hollow. If he wanted credibility he would have used the newest batch of academy kids more than he did, and brought in even 1 or 2 more veteran players to help balance the squad. He didn't. I'm not sure now I trust him to do the right thing, significant investment or otherwise.

Maybe he, a bit like we all did in hindsight, saw that his necessary but brave youthful approach was actually looking like it was bearing fruit as the season ended, and more of the same was what was required, and his reluctance to use our academy players was because they'd barely played any serious football in their careers.

The players bought in had all played regularly for their former clubs, and this factor he'd explicitly pointed out when he joined the summer before.

[pauliewalnuts]

Nobody would bat an eyelid if we lose our last two.

That happens we could easily finish 17th as Sunderland can get 4 points from their last two, WBa would need 2 draws and Hull would need a draw.

17th is not a final position any Aston Villa manager should be surviving.

That's true Tom, but neither should we be paying peanuts wages on unproven players, and trying to get by on a bloody shoestring for nigh on four seasons.

I'm a bit torn at the minute. If there's new investment, then he should move on, but if not I'd still keep him.

If there isn't any investment, and if the current financial regime continues, then it won't make a huge difference if we change manager.

I do wonder, though, whether there is now a credibility gap between Lambert and the fanbase, and if it is possible to survive that.

And that, given the shit we've put up with for too long, is not something to take lightly.

I do wonder if my judgement is a bit clouded though by the fact I just like the bloke. He doesn't come close for me to some of the cockweasels we've had managing us, yes we've been largely shit, but he's a the shittest hand of any manager we've had since I've followed the club, and we, and he have at least fucking tried.

At the end of it all, it's now been made crystal clear what his remit was and he has succeeded, again. If he goes, I'd say good luck to him, he can hold his head up.

My natural inclination is to like him. I was so pleased when he got the job, and I was still pleased at the end of last season.

I just don't know if i can reconcile how unhappy he's made me this season with wanting him to stay in the job. There hasn't been a single plus for this season. Not one.

[LeeB]

You see, when you put it like that it's hard to argue.

[TheEgo]

Oh please, I couldn't care less if he's Mother Theresa, he's done an appalling job and deserves the sack. I can't think of a single reason as to why he shouldn't be sacked as soon as the reason is over.

Terrible terrible job.

[supertom]

Oh please, I couldn't care less if he's Mother Theresa, he's done an appalling job and deserves the sack. I can't think of a single reason as to why he shouldn't be sacked as soon as the reason is over.

Terrible terrible job.

Yep.
I'd buy him a pint over the likes of O Neill and O Leary, but there's no excusing how desperately poor the side has played for most of this season. It's not just the standard of player, the biggest problem is how disorganised and ill-prepared we've looked all too often. Consistent failure to address a lot of pressing issues hasn't helped either.

If he keeps his job he'll need a hell of a start next season to get the fans back onside. A hell of a good start.

[silhillvilla]

Part of me says give him the summer and another 6 months. The club needs some stability. However if we are changing owners we may as well go the whole hog.

[Damo70]

Even taking into account his budget and his luck with injuries I don't think with his record he should keep his job.

[bertlambshank]

He has to go simple as that.

[silhillvilla]

He has to go simple as that.

If that's the case he should go now then. We need as much time as possible to reorganise.

[bertlambshank]

He has to go simple as that.

If that's the case he should go now then. We need as much time as possible to reorganise.

Nah,8 Days time will do.

[Archie]

`if we buy some decent players we've heard of I think the mood will change towards Lambert quite quickly.

Yes, this could be a problem.
But I am confident that the major part of Villa fans have some footballing knowledges.

[pauliewalnuts]

What would be the worst situation would be for Randy to only just start to look for a buyer, for him to understandably not want to change manager or start to spend money when he doesn't know if he'll be here for much longer, and for that to continue throughout the summer.

That would be the absolute worst thing to allow to happen.

Who's taking bets?