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

[steffo]

He is a negative manager. Full stop.

1 - 11 players in the box to defend a corner! Says it all

2 - no width on probably the widest pitch in the PL

3 - Playing players out of position.

4- No development of youth players.

5 - 4-3-1-2 doesn't work without width.

[ozzjim]

I can't see him staying now in fairness. The sad thing is I still like him, and was still happy to see the players look on his side today.

Solskjaer has not exactly done wonders at Cardiff either.

Re funds etc, if a takeover is not close, and drags through the summer, I really, really hope Lerner has the sense to put 25 million in whatever to improve the squad on 3-4 players. Otherwise we will be a state next season.

[PaulWinch again]

I can't see him staying now in fairness. The sad thing is I still like him, and was still happy to see the players look on his side today.

Solskjær has not exactly done wonders at Cardiff either.

Re funds etc, if a takeover is not close, and drags through the summer, I really, really hope Lerner has the sense to put 25 million in whatever to improve the squad on 3-4 players. Otherwise we will be a state next season.

Agree on both counts.

[PeterWithesShin]

The way he got Bowery playing today I hope he stays.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

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?

Please don't even suggest that. I don't think I could put up with another season like this.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

The way he got Bowery playing today I hope he stays.

How easily it is to forget his other minutes in a Villa shirt.

[ozzjim]

Bowery was superb today in fairness!

[Sexual Ealing]

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.

I agree with you Lee. He's (theoretically) done all the dirty work, it seems fair to let him have a crack at the fun stuff (if that's possible).

[supertom]

Bowery was superb today in fairness!

Playing in his natural position helped him a great deal.
Ditto Weimann of course.

It's taken Lambo a while to get to this point though, and whether or not he maintains it is another matter. We'll probably continue to see square pegs in round holes if he stays on.

[villan from luton]

He is a negative manager. Full stop.

1 - 11 players in the box to defend a corner! Says it all

2 - no width on probably the widest pitch in the PL

3 - Playing players out of position.

4- No development of youth players.

5 - 4-3-1-2 doesn't work without width.

I am not his biggest fan but know he is highly regarded by the players. Donciean the young lad raves about him (he is from Luton), As for 4-3-1-2 not working without width, I agree as there are no wide players

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The way he got Bowery playing today I hope he stays.

Indeed. It only took Lambert nearly a full season to remember that he'd bought a centre forward, not a winger.

[PaulWinch again]

I was going to say Bowery played well today, but Hull gave him acres of space. It's not exactly rocket science that players play best in their correct positions, Weimann was great as a centre forward. Bowery was good, but I don't think long term he'll be a top level player.

[Matt Collins]

All this stuff about Weimann in his best position . . He did pretty well in a three last season. And playing him there obviously means we have to play two in central midfield which many have said Delph and Westwood struggle with. Bottom line is he's been crap most of the season.

I do agree his best position is behind the main striker however

[claret and blue blood]

Watching the last two games at home we have looked marginally better and occasionally Guzan actually thought twice before hoofing it.Is this Sid's influence? We know Sid isn't there for more than the last 2 games,but does it prove something about the coaching under Lambert? This is my main gripe with him this season,so many players have gone backwards when we should have built on last season's form at the end.He did neglect the obvious positions we were struggling with particularly midfield,but we can't be sure if that was down to Lerner's admitted restrictions,however there is no place for sentiment in football,any other club (and most have)would have sacked him long ago.
New owners then sack him,Lerner stays then it could be better to stick with him.

[aj2k77]

I'm not letting an enjoyable day get in the way of the reality of this season. Yesterday in the sun, the relief was brilliant, the hang over not so much, but most of this season has been shit.

His decisions have been baffling and most of the times haven't come off. He's a decent guy, never talked us down to hide his own short comings but he's not ready, maybe never will be to take on a club this size and move it upwards.

With Lambert I feel we could spend £40-50 million pre season and be wedged firmly around 10th, there is not enough in his locker, tactically to get more out of players regularly. He's just not clever enough. Maybe it's experience, maybe he has a lot to learn and will one day, but im not willing to wait for more seasons on the chance he learns from his many many mistakes.

Let's just have a clean slate and give us a reason to look forward and upward again. These last four years have been shit, this season has been shit. Thanks Paul for not taking us down, hope you do Ok at your next job.