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

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

He is shoehorning too many underperformaning players into the side for one and second, isn't offering a way of attacking the opposition.

We need to revert back to something simple. It might not be pretty, but look at tonight, Sanchez wins the ball and is looking to move it on quickly and the scene in front of him is Gabby too deep, Cleverley pushed wide and you ask yourself, how are we going to break them down?

I think the answer is functional; 442. It's not going to take us to anything inspiring, but say Samchez and Cleverley central and moving the ball wide to quick players capable of putting balls I to Benteke and getting say Bent close to him, surely has a lot more to offer than the absence of a means of attacking we see now.

Couldn't agree more Ads.
How the f**k your managerial career was so short-lived I'll never know.
(well I do, but you know what I mean).
So many times tonight we broke on the counter and the counter attack broke down because the players seem incapable of knowing how/when/where to move to maximise the advantage we've gained. The main reason why our attacks break down is because of our own ineptitude - not the defensive qualities of the opposition!
Gabby, Weimann and Beast, I'm looking at you!
(Surely they discuss/practise this in training?? Along with throw-ins!!!!)

[Hoppo]

I was saying the same Ads.  Gabby has to be dropped. Westwood doesn't offer enough. That's just for starters.

[VancouverLion]

His post match comments are comical beyond belief, he's not worried because he knows we have goals in our squad. The bloke is an absolute clown!!!!
I just wish he'd fuck right off, I've never felt so down about the Villa in my life, I can barely be arsed to watch the games these days. So f'kin sad!!!

[brian green]

There is a car crash ahead but it will not be triggered by strings of defeats or months without goals. It will be precipitated by Villa Park attendances falling off the edge of a cliff.
With Ellis there was a line of understanding between the owner and the fans. He knew us for what we are and we knew him for what he was. I would not call it mutual respect but we did at least acknowledge each others role.
From the very start of Lerner's ownership we, the loyal and ever present fans became a market to be exploited and satisfied if possible. It has all been very American and has arisen because Lerner never was and never will be a football fan. He can't help it. He just does not get it.
So we have had a culture of exclusion and secrecy take over the club. Crazy, inexplicable decisions, very important decisions, have been made on a whim and reactively. Rolling over to MON, engaging a manager with a bad heart, the knocking back of Martinez, the flight to Corsica, permitting the Bomb Squad, permitting the air brushing of the bomb squad, the sale of all our best players and their replacement with comfort zone money devourers and non triers, permitting a culture of bullying by Culverhouse and Karsa (unseen by the manager we are expected to believe), the giving of a new contract to a player deemed unworthy of being in the team for two years, the granting of a new four year contract to a manager who had done nothing to merit it.  The list of inexplicable brainless balls ups goes on and on.
The only thing left for us to do to oppose this executive negligence is to vote with our feet and stay away.  The bean counters do not get football but they get numbers.

[pbavfckuwait]

He has got to go and the sooner the better, the list of reasons why are well documented on this thread and others, Sunday needs to be the day when voices are raised to show the dissatisfaction and please no one come out with it will effect the players, some of the best away support in the league has not had a positive effect, so for one day only let us give them that excuse, because sure as day follows night Lambert will find another excuse for them if not.
Then if this is ignored, hit Lerner where it hurts and boycott games, because if we as supporters do nothing, this will just continue to get worse, it is about time the tabloids got hold of this and made it news, force Lerners hand and now is the time.

[Ian.]

I really hope we go for Moyes. There was talk of Pullis last night, which might be good for the rest if the season as a stop gap. You just know though he'd be offered a 4 year contract.

I've always had the faintest of glimmers of hope we would play football in a way which is exciting and fun to be a part of. Lambert was a food manager before he arrived and we had that spell a couple of years ago. We have also scored some fantastic team goals in his time. Now though we have to realise its not working and it's time for a change.

My worry with Pullis is we know what we're in for and that's the only way we'll be destined to play. I'm sure he'll rally the troops and have us fighting again but beyond that what else will change?

[OzVilla]

It's on days like this that I'm glad to be 12,000 miles away.  The only football 'fan' in the office is a Kiwi Southampton fan.  He knows nothing about football but enough to know we are shite and heading for real trouble, again.

I look on at his club in envy - they have an owner of dubious motives but they got some excellent football minds in to the club, got shot of Adkins when they felt they had a better more attractive and progressive option, a brave move.  He then built an attractive team based on astute purchases and good home-grown talent.  When this got picked off by the 'bigger' clubs they cashed in handsomely, got another young, hungry European manager and seem to be repeating the process all over again.  Must be great to be a Saints fan, a real feel good club.

Contrast that with the Villa - Club hierarchy have good intentions but decision making is comical, hire managers they shouldn't and keep them (no worse than that they offer them a new contract) when they shouldn't, Play a terrible turgid, clueless style that is easily out thought by dinosaurs like Redknapp, lthe home-grown talent was over-hyped and has fallen by the wayside, we lazily buy overpaid journeymen of crocks no else wants from a transfers budget of virtually zero. Let the 3 players that are actually worth something run down their contracts so we'll either have to cash in and leave us bare in January or hang on and they'll leave for nothing  at seasons end (I've no doubt Delph, Vlaar or Benteke wont start next season in Villa colours).  The apathy amongst the supporters in understandable.

How has it come to this?

[Chris Smith]

Lerner's comments in the summer about Lambert working to his instructions and subsequent new contract suggest to me that he is not going anywhere any time soon. Therefore, it all points to us sticking with what we have got until Lerner finds a buyer. Hoping that we can keep our better players fit and able to muddle through until then.

However, for the sake of argument let's say that he is under threat. Given that this would then be the latest in a string of failed appointments by Lerner what possible reason could there be for thinking that if he is sacked next time would be any different? You only have to look at the McNeil-Turner era to see that the suggestion that anyone would be an improvement has no basis in reality.

If however they do show a bit more gumption, the thought that somebody like Moyes might come to a club with little money and with the "For Sale" signs up seems extremely unlikely. I don't think his stock has fallen so low that he has to take any offer on the table and a club with a semi-detached owner and relatively little spare cash is probably not what he is looking for.

[JD]

First time I've said it but he has to go. It isn't just the losing it is the total ineptness of the team. That comes down to Lambert and Keane. 

[frank black]

Let's give him a chance, come on......


Sack him if we lose to Tottingham

[Ian.]

I think your right Chris, we're going to have to keep muddling through until the club is sold. I do wonder though if Lambert will eventually walk?

I much preferred to be in the mindset of while we're muddling through until a new buyer is available Lambert fortunes change and we play some decent football. It's very hard to feel any confidence from the last 5 games and our form on August seems a distant memory.

Lambert and the team need a right kick up the arse and shook up.

[saunders_heroes]

I think your right Chris, we're going to have to keep muddling through until the club is sold. I do wonder though if Lambert will eventually walk?

I much preferred to be in the mindset of while we're muddling through until a new buyer is available Lambert fortunes change and we play some decent football. It's very hard to feel any confidence from the last 5 games and our form on August seems a distant memory.

Lambert and the team need a right kick up the arse and shook up.

Managers don't do the decent thing and walk anymore. When was the last time we heard of a manager resigning because of poor results? Graham Taylor?
Now they stick around like a bad smell waiting for their pay off. Lambert is no different.

[kippaxvilla2]

There's also something in his body language since he got his new deal.  He's a lot more passive.  Like he doesn't give a shit as he knows he's won the lottery.

[Phil from the upper holte]

What gets me is the games are so Fucking boring. You know what's coming before it happens. Slow to make changes doesn't change the formation. He tries to shoe horn too many players in. Should play with 2 up front. Or even put Gabby on the right. I'm actually getting fed up with watching it now because it's about as interesting as watching paint dry. I'm seriously considering not even bothering to watch us against spurs because I'm starting to think I've actually got better things to do with my time

[QBVILLA]

After 10 points from the first four games a lot of credit was going to Keane. Well after five losses on the bounce then surely he has to to take some of the blame?