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

[mr underhill]

yes, believe it or not, I do realise that thanks . Having been part of big organisations that have been taken over by other organisations my experience was that it greatly affected the day to day running of the business, not least because the focus, both collectively and individually, tended to dwell on the uncertainty of the future as well as the present - human nature really.

[Brend'Watkins]

Lambert is in a win win situation remaining on as manager.  Assuming RL gives him limited funds to strengthen key positions and gets us to mid table he will be seen as a genius.  If on the other hand he continues in the same way as last season it can all be put down to the 'uncertainty' hanging over the club leaving him blameless. 

[abc123cox]

Paul Lambert is doing a press conference this afternoon.... confirmed from Jams Nursey, should be interesting.



 James Nursey ‏@JamesNursey 4m

Off to #avfc to see Lambert now club confirmed he's staying on under lerner.

[RussellC]

Paul Lambert has vowed to "get on with the job [and] do our best by the Club" after returning with Chief Executive Paul Faulkner from a meeting in New York with Chairman Randy Lerner.

The Villa manager is preparing for the 2014-15 campaign following discussions which focussed on the short to medium term in light of the Chairman's announcement last week that Bank of America Merrill Lynch have been engaged to advise on the sale of the Club.

Lambert said: "As everybody is aware, I met with the Chairman along with Paul and I'm determined to get on with the job of managing Aston Villa.

"These circumstances are extremely challenging as the Club is for sale and as far as I know there is nothing imminent in terms of new ownership, but we're going to roll up our sleeves, prepare for the battle ahead and do our best by the Club.

"The squad requires strengthening, that's self-evident, and it won't be easy within the current circumstances. But we'll look to identify players of proven quality to bring in and get ready for the start of the new season.

"To the fans, my message is simple - this is your club and it's a fantastic club. Your support has made it into this.

"The past two seasons have been tough and expectations, rightly, are high. But success is always built on everybody working together and the circumstances now require us all to pull together and stick together and try to galvanise ourselves for this challenge we face.

"I'm determined to give it everything I have, the players will do the same and it is our collective strength as a club which, ultimately, will see us through."

[RussellC]

Oh shit...

[*shellac*]

Players of proven quality.  I like that, we haven't seen that for a long while.

[not3bad]

OK, so he's staying. Question now is how much money does he have to spend. Good thing is he recognises the need for proven quality.

[pauliewalnuts]

If he's staying, then fine, but he has got to be backed.

If there is a takeover going on in the background, then we have to assume it won't happen and plan along that basis. Which means giving him a decent amount of money to spend and not forcing him to spend it all at the Lidl end of the market because of the wage bill.

[RussellC]

Players of proven quality.  I like that, we haven't seen that for a long while.

Problem is, which 'players of proven quality' are going to want to join a club in complete limbo like that?! This is a kin to our sales technique of the bomb-squad members - "Who wants to buy this overpaid bunch of rejects??" I can't help but feel we'd have been better-off releasing no statement at all.

[Jimbo]

Christ. What a mess.

[abc123cox]

OK, so he's staying. Question now is how much money does he have to spend. Good thing is he recognises the need for proven quality.

apparently he will have small amount of budget but wage restrictions will be lifted slightly according to Bren Mcloughlin so he has to go straight after Barry and Lescot, then try and loan Holtby and find a new LB, add that to Okore, Kozak and Nzogbia and we will have a much stronger squad to go forward until new owners are here.

[RussellC]

OK, so he's staying. Question now is how much money does he have to spend. Good thing is he recognises the need for proven quality.

apparently he will have small amount of budget but wage restrictions will be lifted slightly according to Bren Mcloughlin so he has to go straight after Barry and Lescot, then try and loan Holtby and find a new LB, add that to Okore, Kozak and Nzogbia and we will have a much stronger squad to go forward until new owners are here.

Again - if you were any of those players, would you join Villa, knowing there's likely to be a new owner/manager in the not too distant future?? This is an absolute clusterfuck.

[LeeB]

OK, so he's staying. Question now is how much money does he have to spend. Good thing is he recognises the need for proven quality.

apparently he will have small amount of budget but wage restrictions will be lifted slightly according to Bren Mcloughlin so he has to go straight after Barry and Lescot, then try and loan Holtby and find a new LB, add that to Okore, Kozak and Nzogbia and we will have a much stronger squad to go forward until new owners are here.

Sounds about right to me.

[adrenachrome]

Players of proven quality.  I like that, we haven't seen that for a long while.

We have seen this new line since the 180 degree change in strategy in the last January window. Then after checking out the cost of getting who he wanted and "falling out of my chair",  he went for Holt on loan and an abortive bid for Hoolahan.

In fairness to him, he has summed up the situation quite clearly:

The squad requires strengthening, that's self-evident, and it won't be easy within the current circumstances.

[Des Little]

Man the lifeboats...