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

[Diablo]

I wonder when was the exact date Lerner lost interest? Was it prior to McLeish? Or prior or during Lambert's reign? If it was prior to Lerner's reign then you have to wonder why Lambert took the job at Villa Park (when he could have stayed at Norwich for another season, was adored by the fans and because of his success there had a mountain of goodwill and could have waited for another position with a club that had better finances than ours - I remember Norwich fans asking this question at the time and the uproar it caused from our fans). I remember an interview with Lambert in his first season where he made a comment along the lines of "I don't think people realise the financial parameters we're now working with" which suggests to me he knew from the off. And if he did know from the off was the young hungry kids thing always just spin? Or did Learner change the goal posts last season?

I was talking to a Norwich fan the other week, the day they went down in fact, and after saying he'd take him back in a heartbeat, we both mused as to why he ever left to join this car crash at all. The bloke was lamenting on how Hughton had pissed all that money away and took them backwards, and Lambert would have had more money to strengthen an already better side than the one he left for.

I had to agree.

As Lucky Eddie touched on before, now that the constraints and circumstances that Lambert has had to work under are coming to light, I don't think he'll have too much trouble getting employment when he moves on. Which in itself is quite an achievement when you think of some of the records broken last season. I can see Lambert coming out of this situation when he leaves with his reputation intact albeit a little dented rather than destroyed like so many other previous Villa managers.

[SoccerHQ]

I think second season syndrome would've got Norwich and Lambert. They could well have been relegated and he'd have struggle to have got another prem job like us.

[Diablo]

I think second season syndrome would've got Norwich and Lambert. They could well have been relegated and he'd have struggle to have got another prem job like us.

Possibly. But if they had gone down he would have probably been given the opportunity to take them back up (although obviously you can never be certain). I wonder if  something went on in the background prior to him leaving with those in charge (the fallout since has obviously been pretty acidic). I'd heard rumours when he joined us that he was frustrated with potential transfer targets, yet Houghton was given sizeable funds. I have a feeling he would have probably kept Norwich up as although it would have been harder the second season other teams still expect to beat little ol' Norwich and this would have probably helped him. It is just a feeling though (arguably based on evidence to the contrary) as our home record this season doesn't help support this view point. On the subject of Norwich being relegated I thought the timing of their sacking of Houghton was (thankfully for us) suicidal.

[Rolta]

As our awful home record comes up frequently, may I add some stats:

yr––––––––W––––D––––L––––F––––A
13/14         6        3       10     22     29     (Lambert on a budget with a young team + academy players 2) + finished 5 points above relegation
12/13         5        5        9      23     28     (Lambert on a budget with a young team + academy players) + finished 5 points above relegation
11/12         4        7        8      20     25     (Mcleish's meh – still had a team of highly paid experienced players) + finished 2 points above relegation
10/11         8        7        4      26     19     (Houllier's season when we still had good players like Young, Downing, Petrov) + finished 9 points above relegation
09/10         8        8        3      29     16     (The last season we had money and finished 6th) + finished miles above relegation (what a dream)

My point is, yes, our home form has been rubbish under Lambert, but it was also rubbish under Mcleish too. In fact, Lambert is slowly giving us more wins at home :p

Seriously, you'd say major cost cutting began in earnest under Mcleish and went onto another level under Lambert – and with Mcleish I'm not sure signing Jenas, Hutton, Given and N'Zogbia was proper cost cutting. I know none of us were happy with Mcleish and our form hasn't been startlingly better under Lambert, but he really has keep us at the very least steady while reducing the budget a great deal. He has also created the youngest squad in the premiership – and we hear so often young players are inconsistent.

I really do think he deserves a bit of a reappraisal in light of his financial limitations, which have been obvious to all of us from the beginning of his reign. In a world where Man City and Chelsea have bought their titles it is clear you need money to compete in the Premiership. It gives you a nice squad, so you can try out lots of tactics and make game changing substitutions. We're a pants team on a budget and we've got exactly what Lerner has paid for (if not better).

10 losses does surely look ugly though. Could have done with some nice draws at least.

 

[Havencheese]

While I'm not entirely convinced of Lambert, unlike some complete wet blanket types on here I can respect some of his handiwork despite some butcherings. Regarding the idea of reappraisal, one thing he'll really have to identify with is the types of purchases he makes. Some extra experience is an absolute must for this team. I feel he came unstuck with the Kozak purchase and while I think he'll make a decent striker he was perhaps anticipating/ expecting the January sale of Benteke. Along with defence, it's stating the bleeding obvious we need that creative spark in the middle. Barring more freak injuries, if he's able to identify those two areas with incoming buys, I think he'll/we'll stay afloat if not progress a little.

Tactically I'm unsure about him but what else can you do with the cattle we've got? The renewed backroom will be interesting.

[VinnieChase84]

I see lambert has admitted for the first time in the E&S article that he knew about Randy selling for a long time but had to keep quiet.
He also says when the new owners come in they will judge what he's done.

[MoetVillan]

While we may be disappointed at the footballing achievements of our current and previous manager, I think both of them have true gentlemen, and thought of nothing but the club and been consumate professionals.  Neither of them have ever said a bad word about club at any time.  It is but a small ray of light in a day of darkness, but something i cling to proudly while scoffing at Yaya Toure bad mouthing his club who happen to pay him around 200k a week

[Lucky Eddie]

While we may be disappointed at the footballing achievements of our current and previous manager, I think both of them have true gentlemen, and thought of nothing but the club and been consumate professionals.  Neither of them have ever said a bad word about club at any time.  It is but a small ray of light in a day of darkness, but something i cling to proudly while scoffing at Yaya Toure bad mouthing his club who happen to pay him around 200k a week

I quite agree, I'd never have appointed Alex Mcleish in a million years but I have to say he was most charming, genuine and professional whenever I met him.

[Jimbo]

With Lennon now gone, what happens if Celtic come after Loyal Lambert?

[Lucky Eddie]

Goodness knows what position that'll place us in!

I'll take anything so long as it's not a straight swap.

[RossLeach]

Goodness knows what position that'll place us in!

I'll take anything so long as it's not a straight swap.

What McLeish doing these days? We might still be paying him....

[Des Little]

If I was Lambert, I'd be on my way to Glesga right now.  He's done his bit to protect RL and PF.

[RussellC]

Everything that Lambert's said and done in recent weeks suggests that he relishes a challenge. That's the last thing he'd get by going to manage Celtic.

[Chris Smith]

With Lennon now gone, what happens if Celtic come after Loyal Lambert?

Somebody linked an article a while back where he stated he had no interest in managing in Scotland. I know things change but it doesn't seem very likely to me.

[olaftab]

While I'm not entirely convinced of Lambert, unlike some complete wet blanket types on here I can respect some of his handiwork despite some butcherings. Regarding the idea of reappraisal, one thing he'll really have to identify with is the types of purchases he makes. Some extra experience is an absolute must for this team. I feel he came unstuck with the Kozak purchase and while I think he'll make a decent striker he was perhaps anticipating/ expecting the January sale of Benteke. Along with defence, it's stating the bleeding obvious we need that creative spark in the middle. Barring more freak injuries, if he's able to identify those two areas with incoming buys, I think he'll/we'll stay afloat if not progress a little.
Tactically I'm unsure about him but what else can you do with the cattle we've got? The renewed backroom will be interesting.

"SOME COMPLETE WET BLANKET TYPES"? Ermmm clearly we are honoured  and lucky to have your precision and astuteness on here.