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

[Gareth]

Changing our style halfway through the season is madness, especially when we haven't got the players to create chances. Is Agbonlahor gonna play that killer ball? Or is Weimann gonna spot one of Benteke's runs? Unlikely as they struggle to control a ball.

It sums Lambert up for me. He has no long term plan. If he did, he would've started this in the summer and recruited players who are comfortable on the ball.

The way we are playing needs a focal point for the attack. With Benteke and Kozac out we could not play this way with any success as neither Gabby nor Andi are comfortable with their back to goal.

Which kind of brings me back to the point that on September 1st he knew the story with Kozak / Benteke yet didn't look to use the loan market to get in a player who did assist the way he wants to play...high quality mgmt!

[ChicagoLion]

So the stats show we're actually getting worse.

Yep

We are conceding less but our goals per game ratio is pathetic.

[silhillvilla]

So the stats show we're actually getting worse.

Yep

We are conceding less but our goals per game ratio is pathetic.

How we could use another 6-1 tomorrow

[SoccerHQ]

Our midfield isn't bad individually but collectively you'd do well to find a worse once for creating chances outside the bottom 3 or 4 teams.

Lambert really should've signed a creative attacking midfielder by now.

[Legion]

We potentially have one in Grealish.

[silhillvilla]

We potentially have one in Grealish.

Let's hope he gets a game tomorrow , I'd also draft Bacuna in.

[Dante Lavelli]

Changing our style halfway through the season is madness, especially when we haven't got the players to create chances. Is Agbonlahor gonna play that killer ball? Or is Weimann gonna spot one of Benteke's runs? Unlikely as they struggle to control a ball.

It sums Lambert up for me. He has no long term plan. If he did, he would've started this in the summer and recruited players who are comfortable on the ball.

I'd go the opposite way:  He's constantly picked players who's strength is their footballing ability, Westwood, Delph and Clark as examples for their positions, yet asked them to play in a manner which does not suit them (i.e. be physical enforcers).  The physical stature of our team has more closely matched Arsenal/Barca yet we have been trying to play like Stoke.

[Legion]

I'd like to see him given a start tomorrow, but doubt it. Maybe v Blackpool.

[Dante Lavelli]

We potentially have one in Grealish.

Does anyone else think he is being wasted on our bench and would be improving more playing each week in the championship?
We could have a "Januzaj" on loan doing similar for us/Man U.

[pauliewalnuts]

Changing our style halfway through the season is madness, especially when we haven't got the players to create chances. Is Agbonlahor gonna play that killer ball? Or is Weimann gonna spot one of Benteke's runs? Unlikely as they struggle to control a ball.

It sums Lambert up for me. He has no long term plan. If he did, he would've started this in the summer and recruited players who are comfortable on the ball.

I don't think he has a long term plan, and I also don't think he really knows what he's doing tactically, but I much prefer this new style compared to the last one.

I'd understand the argument that changing style now is a bad idea if the old style had been something worth holding on to - it wasn't, it brought us some truly horrific results and we played eye-meltingly bad football.

I'm much more positive that this style will get results.

We also have the January window to buy in a couple of players who suit this style. Hopefully we wont waste money on Cleverley, and will opt to bring in a couple of technically decent players, players who can create chances.

[Dave]

We could have a "Januzaj" on loan doing similar for us/Man U.

If we wanted him to be the same as Januzaj, sitting on our bench getting a few minutes at the end of every other match is the best way to go about it.

[silhillvilla]

The best football I've seen all season has come from joe Cole at burnley, even though he could barely run, his vision, use of the ball etc was in another level to anyone else in our squad is capable of.
That's a slamming indictment of the state of affairs under Lambert.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Hopefully we will bring in a couple of creative players in January. We've been crying out for some creativity for years though.

I do like how we're trying to retain the ball a bit more, but ultimately, we need goals. I do wonder if we'd be better shelving this new possssion based approach until the summer and trying something else now.

[PeterWithesShin]

And go back to lumping it to Benteke that we already know has limited success?

[pauliewalnuts]

Hopefully we will bring in a couple of creative players in January. We've been crying out for some creativity for years though.

I do like how we're trying to retain the ball a bit more, but ultimately, we need goals. I do wonder if we'd be better shelving this new possssion based approach until the summer and trying something else now.

As PWS said, like what?