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

[brontebilly]

I really don't get the limited budget comments that people make about Lambert. He has spent enough money in his three years.  Perhaps not as much as has been published but enough to have built a better side than the one he has done. Those stats on Facebook are hideous when laid bare. How the hell has he been rewarded with a new contract with those stats. Absolutely shocking.

I think you will find when people go on about budget they refer to wages. It has been that which has been dramatically reigned in, transfer fees not so much. Generally though, cheap player also means cheap wage.

Wages have only fallen by £10m from their peak.

With turnover falling by how much at the same time?

To be fair to MON (and I wont say that too often) there were some horrendous signings in the Houllier and McLeish seasons that are still a drag on the wage bill. Then again maybe every club has a few of those.

To be fair to Lambert, his transfer dealings are the one area I wont hold against him. He was shopping in the bargain basement and picked up some very useful players that we will turn a profit on (Benteke, Guzan, Vlaar). Delph's career was revitalised from being one of the worst players in the league to decent performances at international level. Cant think of any expensive clangers, Kozak probably will turn out to be one but injury has intervened there too.

Apart from that he has failed at every other aspect at football management in his time at the club.

[Dennis Evans]

Members of the jury. Have you reached a verdict?

[footyskillz]

Being a Premier league manager Lambert has to manage and deal with all the situations and expectations.  I'm continuously wondering about the man management skills. I believe the players and squad have ability and even though Lambert is respected as a current manager and successful player I don't think all his methods are working. There's indifferent performances by the players and its not all down to Lambert but by the same deal there has been indifferent coaching methods which have seen a succession of unsuccessful results . The way I see things the performances ( in part ) in the last 6 matches have shown some promise despite results.  Nevertheless the situation is quite comfortable for Lambert and players  all round and that extra push in getting results needs to come about again. The super start to the season was recognised by fans , media and the club and its proven that results can be achieved at this level . The new coach keane who came in has, to an extent, been given some authority. I see Lambert keeping his role till the end of the season at least and will keep the faith .

[mike]

From a member of our FB Page:

STILL A Fan of Lambert ? WAKE UP to the FACTS : 1. Biggest defeat in premiership history (8-0 chelsea)

2. Worst start to a season since we've been in the premiership (his first season)

3. First manager since we've been in the premiership to have two seasons or more and hasn't achieved a top ten finish

4. Most home defeats in a single season ever

5. Most defeats over a season in our premiership history (20 last season)

6. Most goals let in over a season since we've been in the premiership (over 60 last season)

7. Five defeats in a row without scoring for the first time in our entire history

8. Six defeats in a row for the first time since we've been in the premiership and also beyond (47 years)

9. First manager to lose to a fourth tier side over two legs in a cup semi-final

10. First time we've gone out of cup competitions three years on the spin to lower league opposition?

11. 23 defeats in 36 games the worst run any manager has ever had at this club?

Well, Mr Lambert, we've had a chance to read your CV. It leaves us only one option and that's to employ you for four more years.

[Toronto Villa]

When Lambert goes he will have really damaged his once promising reputation in football to the point that like his predecessor he will struggle to get another job any time soon in England.

[brian green]

Right  on Toronto.  The far east beckons I think.

To take up your point footyskillz, and welcome by the way, I really do take issue with your comments that "Lambert is respected as a current manager".   Respected by whom?  And "indifferent" performances by players.   The record is there to be seen in black and white, it is not an "indifferent" playing record.   It is rank bad and getting worse.  Also your "not all his methods are working".   Which of his methods are actually working?   Goal scoring? Defending? Playing attractive football? Communicating with the media? Engaging with the fans? Building player morale? And finally that "the last six performances have shown some promise".   Could you elaborate on exactly what was promising?  Defending? Goal scoring? Entertaining football? Fitness levels? Canny substitutions? Player discipline? Grit? Tenacity? On the field leadership? Dynamic support and guidance from the bench by Lambert and Keane?

I am sorry footyskillz and I intend no personal criticism, but you are manna from heaven for those on the payroll of the club whose primary strategy is to pull the duvet over their heads and hope the bogeyman will go away.

As I have said previously, in life you get what you are prepared to put up with.

[pooligan]

Spot on as usual Brian. I fail to see anything around the club that has actually improved while Lambert has been in charge.Even the reserve side has become a mirror of the first team.I watched them recently against Arsenal and they were totally outclassed.Playing the Lambert style of football.ie one striker and no width, they never looked like scoring .while at the other end,you got the feeling it was just a question of time before Arsenal scored,which of course,when they did,was down to a awful defensive mistake

Worse thing for me,was that i actually felt bored watching it and it was a relief when the final whistle went.

[pbavfckuwait]

We are a team that has no fight, no leadership, no tactical awareness once the whistle has been blown and the first plan does not work, no imagination, we are dour and dreary.
A mirror reflection of the Manager.

[brian green]

My gut feeling is that the big majority of the squad are sick to the back teeth with the manager and find it harder and harder to play for him.   If we feel pig sick at his new four year contract, imagine how they must feel.

[Dennis Evans]

We are a team that has no fight, no leadership, no tactical awareness once the whistle has been blown and the first plan does not work, no imagination, we are dour and dreary.
A mirror reflection of the Manager.

Substitute 'Club for Team' and 'Owner for Manager' and your statement is still correct.

[Tom_Mc9?]

From a member of our FB Page:

STILL A Fan of Lambert ? WAKE UP to the FACTS : 1. Biggest defeat in premiership history (8-0 chelsea)

2. Worst start to a season since we've been in the premiership (his first season)

3. First manager since we've been in the premiership to have two seasons or more and hasn't achieved a top ten finish

4. Most home defeats in a single season ever

5. Most defeats over a season in our premiership history (20 last season)

6. Most goals let in over a season since we've been in the premiership (over 60 last season)

7. Five defeats in a row without scoring for the first time in our entire history

8. Six defeats in a row for the first time since we've been in the premiership and also beyond (47 years)

9. First manager to lose to a fourth tier side over two legs in a cup semi-final

10. First time we've gone out of cup competitions three years on the spin to lower league opposition?

11. 23 defeats in 36 games the worst run any manager has ever had at this club?

So do you rate him or not?

[rob_bridge]

From a member of our FB Page:

STILL A Fan of Lambert ? WAKE UP to the FACTS : 1. Biggest defeat in premiership history (8-0 chelsea)

2. Worst start to a season since we've been in the premiership (his first season)

3. First manager since we've been in the premiership to have two seasons or more and hasn't achieved a top ten finish

4. Most home defeats in a single season ever

5. Most defeats over a season in our premiership history (20 last season)

6. Most goals let in over a season since we've been in the premiership (over 60 last season)

7. Five defeats in a row without scoring for the first time in our entire history

8. Six defeats in a row for the first time since we've been in the premiership and also beyond (47 years)

9. First manager to lose to a fourth tier side over two legs in a cup semi-final

10. First time we've gone out of cup competitions three years on the spin to lower league opposition?

11. 23 defeats in 36 games the worst run any manager has ever had at this club?

So do you rate him or not?

Not especially.

[Dennis Evans]

Will he beat the eleven defeats on the trot of 62-63?

[Risso]

Members of the jury. Have you reached a verdict?

*Dons black cap*

[Tom_Mc9?]

I'm not going to defend him any more - we're not good enough at the moment unfortunately. I hope he turns it around, but we're in such a rut that there isn't enough confidence or luck to do so. Another false dawn for Villa.