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

[pauliewalnuts]

I have a much bigger issue with the way he has sent us out to play over 2.5 years than i do with his signings.

[ez]

I reckon he's had a kick up the backside.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I have a much bigger issue with the way he has sent us out to play over 2.5 years than i do with his signings.

I've never had a problem with his signings, more with the fact he was the wrong manager for them. I'm extremely reluctant to give him praise right now when he's been such a poor manager since he arrived. Obviously it wasn't all his doing, the shit football, the clueless tactics, the collapsing after we score, the only turning up at best for 45 minutes etc.. it was also his staff but he was their boss so he has to carry the can.

One thing that seems obvious is that we've seen a little progress all around since Keane left. If that continues and Lambert manages to find somebody qualified to work with the first team at Bodymoor Heath, he may actually manage to not only save his job and reputation but go on actually achieve something. It's a big 'if' based on his shocking record here but stranger things have happened in football. Will it happen? I doubt it but it really is his last card so unless he wants to end up in the Villa Managers Graveyard, he really needs to make the right choice.

[Witton Warrior]

It's the way he came out after the Leicester match with the "we practiced something new" line which turns out to be Guzan rolling the ball to a full-back who goes forward until he has to pass inside (no wide player to pass to) or rolls it straight back to Guzan for a punt up field.

This is "new"?

When he finally buys the wide player/s we need for Benteke to flower and a decent No 10 (remember that 12 months ago Paul?) I might start to think he is improving.

He just seems stubborn and old-fashioned

I hope we win the League, FA Cup and Champions League with him proving me the biggest idiot known to man...

[Toronto Villa]

There has been much more to Villa's play changing in the past 3 games than just Guzan rolling the ball out instead of punting it. There has been significantly more discipline throughout the side, and a distinct intent not to just whack it long from anyone. It's the right path, however it has come about and whoever it was that has been able to get it through his head that long ball/counter is completely unproductive.

[silhillvilla]

I didn't see so many short goal kicks yesterday compared to last week which bordered on some weird sort of OCD experiment.
Progress.

[London Villan]

There was a section of play towards the end of the first half that encapsulated this... we had the ball and tried to get forward, were closed down then instead of hoofing it we recycled it round again and we did this a couple of times. Sensible football, intelligent and something we haven't done for a long time.

[villan from luton]

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.

So who do you suggest?

[ciggiesnbeer]

There was a section of play towards the end of the first half that encapsulated this... we had the ball and tried to get forward, were closed down then instead of hoofing it we recycled it round again and we did this a couple of times. Sensible football, intelligent and something we haven't done for a long time.

Aye. I celebrate Lamberts new found obsession with playing it out the back and trying to keep possession. That is how I like to see football played, or at least a start. It ending up with some incisive creative passing int the opposing box for a goal is the next step.

[Smirker]

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.

So who do you suggest?

Dortmund lost again this weekend and are now bottom of the Bundesliga.

[Shrek]

People keep talking about Lambert's good signings, can we please add Westwood and Guzan to the top signings

[pauliewalnuts]

There has been much more to Villa's play changing in the past 3 games than just Guzan rolling the ball out instead of punting it. There has been significantly more discipline throughout the side, and a distinct intent not to just whack it long from anyone. It's the right path, however it has come about and whoever it was that has been able to get it through his head that long ball/counter is completely unproductive.

It is the right path, but it is only three games, and we had a much longer period than that in his first season where he similarly had the right idea, and look how that turned out.

It is a start but he needs to show significantly more of it.

Trying to keep the ball and win games is really the absolute least we should be asking for.

[Malandro]

 Personally think the change in tactics is another indication he doesn't know what he's doing.

[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.

So who do you suggest?

Guess what, it is not my job to find the next Villa manager but it would be difficult to find one that could not improve on this ones record.

[Gregorys Boy]

Thing is we wanted improvement and there has been improvement.  The defence is much better than it has been the last two years which does at least give us a solid base to build on.  I expected us to be right in the thick of another drop zone battle, which of course we might still be.  But the way the season has panned out so far I am pretty certain than we are in no real danger and should be able to aim for at least mid-table.

The side is suddenly looking not too bad, but the doubt I have is that weather Lambert is getting the best out of them.   For now I am reasonable happy, if unsure about over the long term.