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

[Witton Warrior]

Back to the topic. Yesterday I was struck by two extremes. How crushed and dispirited Cleverley was and by contrast how fresh and invigorated Gil was.  I have come to suspect that not only do the players not like Lambert, they are scared of him. Too many of the players are so scared of making mistakes they never take a risk and that is why our football is so turgid and lack lustre. I have also come to believe that the (alleged) bullying culture started with him and his formation of the bomb squad was his punishment method. Lambert cannot get the best out of a squad which is easily good enough for mid table because his players hate him or fear him or both, in my opinion.

There was an interview with Helenius over here just after he'd spoken out about his depression.

When he was asked about his relationship with Lambert. His answer was that he respected Lambert because of his record as a player and what he'd done with Norwich, but he wasn't someone you'd ever be friends with.
When asked what that meant he replied with the following.

- NB. Not verbatim as I can't access the recording and can't find it online anywhere -

'Let me give you an example, I'd just come off the pitch after a reserve match, we'd won, I'd scored, felt like I'd played well, everyone was saying I must have man of the match and Lambert was waiting in the dressing for us.
As we were coming through the door he started giving me one of the biggest bollockings I've ever had. I still don't know what it was about.

He didn't speak to me for the rest of the week, ignoring me when he was at training. I wasn't the only one who got that. He's got what they call a Glaswegian temperament.'

And there boys and girls is possibly the problem...

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Back to the topic. Yesterday I was struck by two extremes. How crushed and dispirited Cleverley was and by contrast how fresh and invigorated Gil was.  I have come to suspect that not only do the players not like Lambert, they are scared of him. Too many of the players are so scared of making mistakes they never take a risk and that is why our football is so turgid and lack lustre. I have also come to believe that the (alleged) bullying culture started with him and his formation of the bomb squad was his punishment method. Lambert cannot get the best out of a squad which is easily good enough for mid table because his players hate him or fear him or both, in my opinion.

There was an interview with Helenius over here just after he'd spoken out about his depression.

When he was asked about his relationship with Lambert. His answer was that he respected Lambert because of his record as a player and what he'd done with Norwich, but he wasn't someone you'd ever be friends with.
When asked what that meant he replied with the following.

- NB. Not verbatim as I can't access the recording and can't find it online anywhere -

'Let me give you an example, I'd just come off the pitch after a reserve match, we'd won, I'd scored, felt like I'd played well, everyone was saying I must have man of the match and Lambert was waiting in the dressing for us.
As we were coming through the door he started giving me one of the biggest bollockings I've ever had. I still don't know what it was about.

He didn't speak to me for the rest of the week, ignoring me when he was at training. I wasn't the only one who got that. He's got what they call a Glaswegian temperament.'

Passed comment to my mate last week that I find it interesting that our most creative player (imho) is Sanchez, our most recently arrived player, who is meant to be a DEFENSIVE midfielder. Is it because Lambert hasn't got to him yet? Is he (Lambert) actually stifling (final third) creativity by getting all of our players to play in exactly the same way? His version of "total football"?
Different position but clearer example - Cissokho - started the season at Stoke by bombing down the line and whacking crosses over.
Now? Gets into some great positions but consistently halts his own progress and passes it "safely" backwards to Cleverley, Westwood, Delph...to start the build up all over again...
Any attacking threat/opportunity is lost.

But, hey, we've still got the round thing!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Did he say we were excellent yesterday ?

First words out of his mouth...

did he actually use the "X" word?

[Dante Lavelli]

When Lambert is finally sacked they had better move fast because there is almost no one left at the club capable of running anything. You'd have two coaches left with with no experience of anything really and Sid, who's a lovely chap but..

I can only guess that this is the reason 7% do not want him immediately sacked.  Unless Fox has a few contacts there is very little football knowledge within the club.  For example, do you think Randy has many agents mobile numbers on his phone?  If Lambert goes it could take ages to find a replacement.

[Louzie0]

I voted for, 'give him till Christmas' and I did.  After last week it was bad enough.

Yesterday Gil had a big impact, but we didn't score and we lost again.

The manager is accountable for results.  The lack of goals contributes to that.  The new signing (s) may have an impact but this season is now in its 6th month, so this is an old problem. 

I think it could be a lot worse right now, as in, we could be floating around the bottom 2 places of the League, but I see Villa sliding down there if something doesn't change. 

I know it's unlikely that he will go but I am really struggling to see why he is still at the Club.  The players haven't frozen him out completely though, so maybe this is a factor that is persuading Randy that he can still turn things around.  Then again, when did players last go public about an inept manager en masse?

[ciggiesnbeer]

Yes they are supporters, and credit to them all. But on this one, the support they are showing to the manager is not helping at all. Trying to justify his continued reign and supporting it is completely baffling, and whilst there are still people out there who accept him we will just plod on to oblivion.

There comes a time when you have to stop polishing a turd.

Neither is it harming anything though.

I daresay if you took a poll on "Would you like Villa to win the Premier League?" there would be 100% support. It would have no effect on the clubs results.

Do you think if that Lambert Out poll number ticked up to 100% it would make any difference? There are less of us Villa fans who believe in Lambert than Villa fans who believe Zombies are real.

Lets face it. What fans think here does not matter to Randy Lerner who is the only person who will make the decision around the manager. What matters to Randy? We dont know. He wants out, we do know that. Maybe if the gates went down significantly he might make a change. Maybe if we are in the relegation zone by end of Feb he might make a change. Maybe, maybe not.

Anyway what I am saying is its misplaced anger. Dont bother being angry at fellow fans who disagree with you on the manager. We are going to have zero impact on him staying or going, same as you.

What do we do? We are all going to be pissed off for another week at least, that's what we are going to do. 

[TonyD]

Did he say we were excellent yesterday ?

First words out of his mouth...

did he actually use the "X" word?

Can cope with delusion but he is clearly taking the piss out of the club and knows it.

[andyh]

Gil had a very good 15 mins, but I hope we don't build him up into the next messi.
With this manager he could just as easily become the next KEA or Holman.

[Risso]

I'm sick to the back teeth of seeing his stupid face spouting the same old nonsense every week.  Please just do us all a favour and leave, eh Paul, it isn't working mate.

[andyh]

Did he say we were excellent yesterday ?

First words out of his mouth...

did he actually use the "X" word?

I was half way home in the car when I heard his interview on Radio WM.
I was so angry, screaming 'you deluded fucking wanker' at the radio, it really was a wonder I didn't crash the car.

[Fin Feds Dad]

I voted for, 'give him till Christmas' and I did.  After last week it was bad enough.

Yesterday Gil had a big impact, but we didn't score and we lost again.

The manager is accountable for results.  The lack of goals contributes to that.  The new signing (s) may have an impact but this season is now in its 6th month, so this is an old problem. 

I think it could be a lot worse right now, as in, we could be floating around the bottom 2 places of the League, but I see Villa sliding down there if something doesn't change. 

I know it's unlikely that he will go but I am really struggling to see why he is still at the Club.  The players haven't frozen him out completely though, so maybe this is a factor that is persuading Randy that he can still turn things around.  Then again, when did players last go public about an inept manager en masse?

To get rid of pug nosed Irish wanker .

[adrenachrome]

I voted for, 'give him till Christmas' and I did.  After last week it was bad enough.

Yesterday Gil had a big impact, but we didn't score and we lost again.

The manager is accountable for results.  The lack of goals contributes to that.  The new signing (s) may have an impact but this season is now in its 6th month, so this is an old problem. 

I think it could be a lot worse right now, as in, we could be floating around the bottom 2 places of the League, but I see Villa sliding down there if something doesn't change. 

I know it's unlikely that he will go but I am really struggling to see why he is still at the Club.  The players haven't frozen him out completely though, so maybe this is a factor that is persuading Randy that he can still turn things around.  Then again, when did players last go public about an inept manager en masse?

To get rid of pug nosed Irish wanker .

If he was English, would you say English wanker.

You xenophobic ****.
Edited

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I voted for, 'give him till Christmas' and I did.  After last week it was bad enough.

Yesterday Gil had a big impact, but we didn't score and we lost again.

The manager is accountable for results.  The lack of goals contributes to that.  The new signing (s) may have an impact but this season is now in its 6th month, so this is an old problem. 

I think it could be a lot worse right now, as in, we could be floating around the bottom 2 places of the League, but I see Villa sliding down there if something doesn't change. 

I know it's unlikely that he will go but I am really struggling to see why he is still at the Club.  The players haven't frozen him out completely though, so maybe this is a factor that is persuading Randy that he can still turn things around.  Then again, when did players last go public about an inept manager en masse?

Very much agree Louzie.
I can see why the players might defend him for is his X factor interview technique - irrespective of quality, he always says the players have played well (sorry - "excellent") and couldn't have given more.
As fans we can clearly see that some of them have been complete shite - I hate to say it - Gabby - but he still insists on talking them up (sort of understandable, as their manager), and selecting them week in, week out (completely baffling).
Players are not going to turn on a manager who tells the public/media that they are brilliant every week!
As a manager, I think it's one of his better tactics. :-(

[David_Nab]

Back to the topic. Yesterday I was struck by two extremes. How crushed and dispirited Cleverley was and by contrast how fresh and invigorated Gil was.  I have come to suspect that not only do the players not like Lambert, they are scared of him. Too many of the players are so scared of making mistakes they never take a risk and that is why our football is so turgid and lack lustre. I have also come to believe that the (alleged) bullying culture started with him and his formation of the bomb squad was his punishment method. Lambert cannot get the best out of a squad which is easily good enough for mid table because his players hate him or fear him or both, in my opinion.

There was an interview with Helenius over here just after he'd spoken out about his depression.

When he was asked about his relationship with Lambert. His answer was that he respected Lambert because of his record as a player and what he'd done with Norwich, but he wasn't someone you'd ever be friends with.
When asked what that meant he replied with the following.

- NB. Not verbatim as I can't access the recording and can't find it online anywhere -

'Let me give you an example, I'd just come off the pitch after a reserve match, we'd won, I'd scored, felt like I'd played well, everyone was saying I must have man of the match and Lambert was waiting in the dressing for us.
As we were coming through the door he started giving me one of the biggest bollockings I've ever had. I still don't know what it was about.

He didn't speak to me for the rest of the week, ignoring me when he was at training. I wasn't the only one who got that. He's got what they call a Glaswegian temperament.'

Interesting , the ignoring the player for a week is straight out of the MON management guide book.

The other thing is if you have a manger like that ,who is someone the players are not friends with then you need a good assistant to be between the players and manager and of course we don't have one.Also the fear factor makes sense as the attacking players don't play with and freedom.

All in all I am sick of him and his excuses.

[Risso]

He's turned us into the laughing stock of the Premier League.  People are queuing up to take the piss.