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

[Phil from the upper holte]

The game that really stands out to be this year, more than any other, was the Leyton Orient Capital Cup game. I still lie awake at night some times wondering exactly what the plan was for us to score a goal. I have never seen a team with such little attacking intent or purpose, or 2 centre-backs have such comfortable games against 'superior opposition'. We kept the ball as well as we have at any time under Lambert (as you would have hoped) but for large spells of the game it was almost like every senior player had forgotten that we actually needed to score at least one goal to have any chance of winning the game. That was the  first time that I thought Lambert was not just tactically inept, but tactically non-existent. I've seen little since to change my mind.

I was at that game it was as bad as Bradford

[rob_bridge]

The game that really stands out to be this year, more than any other, was the Leyton Orient Capital Cup game. I still lie awake at night some times wondering exactly what the plan was for us to score a goal. I have never seen a team with such little attacking intent or purpose, or 2 centre-backs have such comfortable games against 'superior opposition'. We kept the ball as well as we have at any time under Lambert (as you would have hoped) but for large spells of the game it was almost like every senior player had forgotten that we actually needed to score at least one goal to have any chance of winning the game. That was the  first time that I thought Lambert was not just tactically inept, but tactically non-existent. I've seen little since to change my mind.

I was at that game it was as bad as Bradford

It was bloody dire. The list of Cup exits under Lambert to lower division opposition is atrocious. It makes O'Leary's record in cups look 'not that bad'

[RussellC]

The game that really stands out to be this year, more than any other, was the Leyton Orient Capital Cup game. I still lie awake at night some times wondering exactly what the plan was for us to score a goal. I have never seen a team with such little attacking intent or purpose, or 2 centre-backs have such comfortable games against 'superior opposition'. We kept the ball as well as we have at any time under Lambert (as you would have hoped) but for large spells of the game it was almost like every senior player had forgotten that we actually needed to score at least one goal to have any chance of winning the game. That was the  first time that I thought Lambert was not just tactically inept, but tactically non-existent. I've seen little since to change my mind.

I was at that game it was as bad as Bradford

At least in the Bradford game we actually made a concerted effort to score a goal (admittedly only when it became critical and after nearly 180 minutes of playing a team 3 divisions lower than us). Against Orient it was almost like we'd forgotten the very purpose of a football match.

[brian green]

It is like so many aspects of this thread and the ownership thread that it takes a statement of intent to come to terms with the blindingly bleeding obvious. How many months and years on here have we been pleading for an end to hoofball?  How many months and years have we been pleading for better entertainment? How many months and years have we been pleading for home win tactics? Why should we suddenly get heard? Empty seats m'lord, empty seats.

[LeeB]

Hearing Lambert speak to the press always reminds me of the escape from the Lingerie Dept on "A Christmassy Ted":

Father Ted: Who's got the most boring voice?
Father Billy: What?
Father Ted: Of the lot of us, who's got the most boring voice?
Father Fitzgerald: (extremely dull voice) That'd be me, Ted...
Father Ted: Right, now, listen to me--
Father Fitzgerald: I have an awful dreary monotonous voice, God help me...

For me, Lambert more closely resembles Father Stone.

"Paul, you have several suspensions and 7 fit first team players. You're 9 points adrift with 3 games left and a minus 72 goal difference, and your chairman has recently declared his intent to align with ISIS and create an Islamic state in Aston. Are you worried about relegation?"

"No, we're fine"

[brian green]

Or, through the mumbling, the line might be "we intend to align with IBIS and build a build an hotel over an Iceland.   Are you worried about regelation?"

"No we are fine."

(lamely) regelation means freezing.   Iceland sells frozen stuff.

[Monty]

It's good to think that Lambert might be good enough not to relegate us. We don't have to take everything back - his tactics are not always exactly great (yesterday suited his strengths though), and I have no idea what he does in training - but it would be good if we didn't have to sack another manager. His good points are becoming more clear, as well, such as his signings: Benteke, Okore, Vlaar - that's impressive on its own, no matter how many Tonevs there were.

[supertom]

I suppose you could look at recent games, Burnley first half, Leicester, parts of West Brom (pre-Richardson madness) and some of the Utd game and see there's an attempt to change our style somewhat and try to pass the ball a little more. We've also shown a bit of positivity in the games. Had Richardson not got sent off I don't think we'd have retreated quite like we did in that game.
Benteke being back has help enormously in our style of play.

It's not brilliant yet and we still look too defensive sometimes and too manic on the ball but Okore, the emerging of Sanchez and Benteke give us a fine footballing spine from back to front and help encourage the rest. Delph back is a bonus too.

Hopefully we'll start seeing some better football more consistency over the next few months.

[fredm]

Lambert was virtually new to the PL when he joined Villa and has had to do his learning as he grew into the job.  Unfortunately it would appear that his choice of assistants has been pretty poor and I think this has not helped his learning curve.  Really think if he had had someone like Mike Phelan alongside him things would have been a lot different and there would not have been as many changes of direction over the years.  He could do with someone who has experience of coaching at the top of the PL to get the tactics he has now decided upon across to the players on a consistent basis.

[supertom]

Lambert was virtually new to the PL when he joined Villa and has had to do his learning as he grew into the job.  Unfortunately it would appear that his choice of assistants has been pretty poor and I think this has not helped his learning curve.  Really think if he had had someone like Mike Phelan alongside him things would have been a lot different and there would not have been as many changes of direction over the years.  He could do with someone who has experience of coaching at the top of the PL to get the tactics he has now decided upon across to the players on a consistent basis.

His next coaching/assistant appointment is essential. It seems we've improved somewhat since Keanes departure, so first order of business will be to hire someone who isn't a complete twunt and someone who won't alienate half the squad like Keane and Culverhouse/Karsa.

[Shrek]

Lambert got a lot of grief, deservedly so, but since we ended the 6 defeats in a row, we've improved as a team.
We are noticeably trying to play more of a passing game and are creating more chances.

All this without once fielding our strongest 11, we've had a lot of injuries, but the main thing has been 3 red cards, The first two which could have gone either way and the third being a disgrace decision.

Lambert has been poor the majority of the time and I prob would have sacked him, but if we continue to improve like we have been, I'm going to enjoy going to watch Villa again.

ps: sell Vlaar in Jan but keep Delph and let him go for free.

[Gregorys Boy]

I said that this was the season when we need to see some improvement as it is virtually all Lambert's squad now and three season's is enough to find his feet.  The aim was mid-table at least for me, and in the first half the season I have seen enough to suggest that we can get that.  I still have my doubts, but for now I think he has done enough to stay in the job.

[ChicagoLion]

I think he has made some decent signings, Vlaar Okore Benteke Senderos, he has bought in some mediocre and some crap too.

It has taken 3 years to work out hoofball will get us knowhere, his awful management of the coaching staff and some of the most embarrassing defeats in our history.

He is not good enough to be the Manager of Aston Villa.

[Legion]

He is at the moment.

[SamTheMouse]

I think he has made some decent signings, Vlaar Okore Benteke Senderos, he has bought in some mediocre and some crap too.

It has taken 3 years to work out hoofball will get us knowhere, his awful management of the coaching staff and some of the most embarrassing defeats in our history.

He is not good enough to be the Manager of Aston Villa.

He has signed some dross, but when you're shopping in the bargain basement that's always going to happen, no matter who's in charge. Some of the punts will come off and some won't. But there's no denying that he has unearthed some very good players indeed. For a start, I'm convinced that Benteke and Okore will both make big, big money for Villa at some stage (provided their contract situations are managed shrewdly, something that hopefully the new CEO will manage better than the last one did).

In addition to those two, Vlaar is top drawer. I think Westwood has improved and is worth considerably more now than when he was signed. Sanchez looks like a very tidy acquisition already and is settling in nicely. Kozak was getting into good positions and scoring goals for us before his injury. Senderos has looked impressive. Re-signing Guzan proved a master stroke. Bacuna scored some important goals last season. Cissokho has had his ups and downs but is still the most solid left-back we've had in a while.

Lambert's success rate when it comes to transfers is one area he really can't be faulted. And now that he seems to have had a total change of heart regarding the team's tactical approach (which is reflected in improved performances), I can't see any reason for removing him. Things were awful and we were playing absolutely dire football. If it had continued, he would have had to go. But it hasn't, he's made changes and so fair enough.