Lambert's replacement

[cheadlevilla]

I really don't think Lambert is going anywhere, so at the moment, IMO, there is the rather more pressing matter of getting experienced first team coaches in. A look at pravda shows that the only first team coach we have at the moment is Scott Marshall; according, again to pravda, his previous experience is with academy level/u18's coaching/management at Wycombe, Brentford, Chelsea and Norwich. A couple of spells at coaching schools in Oman for Arenal and QPR thrown in. I'm sure he's an excellent professional, but first team coaching at a Prem club doesn't appear to be his forte if his online cv is anything to go by.

If Lambert is to stay, then getting in new coaching staff is an absolute must and just as important


as any player signings.

Bloody hell ..... It really is no wonder we are clueless

[VillaAlways]

Where is our new assistant manager? It's almost like the club just can't be arsed to appoint anybody. You would think with our poor form it would be an absolute priority to introduce some fresh ideas but no.

If he isn't going anywhere Get someone in to help him. The apathy/ lack of urgency is staggering.

[tomd2103]

If we are going to makea change it has to be done properly, not some short term appointment that will merely mean we are back in the same position in 18 months time. We have had years of managerial debates, going back to MON's final season, with only very brief interludes of calm. It is time for some grown up and joined up thinking and I think for that we probably need to wait until the summer.

Sorry Chris, I completely disagree.

If we were in the real world, this exactly the point at which some hard nosed git, with experience of turning absolute basket cases around gets brought in and has 12-24 months to sort things out.
It's always done in 4 stages.
1. Stabalise the business - identify the bits that are still functioning and start to strip out the shit that definitely isn't. Do whatever it takes to keep access to working capital. (points)
2. Start to change the management culture. Those that can't change get shown the door. Get whoever you need in on a short term basis to make sure that the wheels don't fall off. (short term contracts for experienced players towards the end of their careers if necessary - depends how could / bad the existing squad actually is.)
3. Depending on how much shit you've been in, 9-18 months to improve the working practices. Those that can't adapt again get shown the door or sidelined. Those that can benefit. Any gaps filled by cardfut recruitment. (start to build a squad that can play a style compatible with the club "style" or "philosophy")
4. Hand over to someone who can take the job on and implement the long term strategy. (Find the man to take us forward over the next 4-5 years.)

The problem we've got is now lacking a  definite strategy or style that the likes of Southampton or Swansea have implemented, which makes the above that much more difficult.

The important bit now is ensure we don't get relegated, whatever the cost and try to ensure some semblance of stability next year so that the club can break the cycle of panic and firefighting we've been locked into for the last 3 1/2 years.  Then we can start to look at building some solid foundations, which we've been missing since before DOL.

Totally agree with and as unpalatable as it may have been for some, I think Pulis or Moyes would have been good candidates for that role.       

[montague]

Glenn Hoddle?

[hilts_coolerking]

While acknowledging that we're not in a good position with regard to attracting a quality new manager I still believe we could get someone better than Lambert.  He's having zero positive influence at the moment and I can't see that changing: he's not suddenly going to acquire coaching, tactical or motivational skills.

In any case, I look at our current situation and think doing nothing is not a sensible option.

Having said that, sacking him would require a greater degree of proactivity than the top brass appear to possess, he'd need a huge payoff, which the top brass would presumably not want to pay, and if even if he was sacked the choice of replacement would then be in the hands of people who have nawsed it up so many times.

A gloomy picture.

[Risso]

i'll say it, but I like what Allardyce has done at West Ham. He's bought well, his team play an agressive style where they press the opponent back. He uses wingers, he uses his CF well, (when fit). He isn't the same manager he once was with the long ball so he has tried to modernize himself. He's not afraid of taking on the bigger sides and he'll win a few of those games too.

I've seen West Ham a few times now and it's not ugly to watch. He'd be someone who knows the league well, is able to work to a budget, is from the area if that was ever a criteria, and would jump at the chance to leave those tossers he has as owners. They've only lost 6 times this season in the league and scored 3 times what we have.

He's not everyone cup of tea, and I'd gladly not have Allardyce if there was someone genuinely better out there that we could realistically get.

I'm pleading the 5th on that one!

I'll tell you what though, Andy Carroll is in some awesome form at the moment.  Did you see his goal yesterday?

[Tom_Mc9?]

Glenn Hoddle?

He hasn't done anything recently has he? Not for me.

[Toronto Villa]

i'll say it, but I like what Allardyce has done at West Ham. He's bought well, his team play an agressive style where they press the opponent back. He uses wingers, he uses his CF well, (when fit). He isn't the same manager he once was with the long ball so he has tried to modernize himself. He's not afraid of taking on the bigger sides and he'll win a few of those games too.

I've seen West Ham a few times now and it's not ugly to watch. He'd be someone who knows the league well, is able to work to a budget, is from the area if that was ever a criteria, and would jump at the chance to leave those tossers he has as owners. They've only lost 6 times this season in the league and scored 3 times what we have.

He's not everyone cup of tea, and I'd gladly not have Allardyce if there was someone genuinely better out there that we could realistically get.

I'm pleading the 5th on that one!

I'll tell you what though, Andy Carroll is in some awesome form at the moment.  Did you see his goal yesterday?

Yes. Outstanding and a goal comprised of all of the things Benteke is capable of doing. He does have Carroll playing at a very high level. For however long it lasts because of his injury record.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Laudrup for me, but anything is better than this.

[Steve67]

Laudrup, Curbishley, Souness, all available to see the season through. Any one of them would be more preferable than Lambert.

[dave.woodhall]

Laudrup, Curbishley, Souness, all available to see the season through. Any one of them would be more preferable than Lambert.

Souness short-term would be a good move. He's an utterly lamentable character but he kicks arses.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Laudrup, Curbishley, Souness, all available to see the season through. Any one of them would be more preferable than Lambert.

Souness short-term would be a good move. He's an utterly lamentable character but he kicks arses.

Souness when manager of Benfica was constantly mocked due to his complete lack of tactics. It was embarrassing to watch his team at times, a team not helped by the signing of 21st Michael Thomas. Only Dean Saunders did himself credit. That was in 98, I'd hope Souness has learnt a thing or two since then.

[dave.woodhall]

Laudrup, Curbishley, Souness, all available to see the season through. Any one of them would be more preferable than Lambert.

Souness short-term would be a good move. He's an utterly lamentable character but he kicks arses.

Souness when manager of Benfica was constantly mocked due to his complete lack of tactics. It was embarrassing to watch his team at times, a team not helped by the signing of 21st Michael Thomas. Only Dean Saunders did himself credit. That was in 98, I'd hope Souness has learnt a thing or two since then.

For a short-term measure we don't need a tactical genius, we need someone who can get more out of the players we've got.

[PeterWithesShin]

Souness was shite at Newcastle in his last job about 10 years ago. That would be a no from me.

[Chris Smith]

Laudrup, Curbishley, Souness, all available to see the season through. Any one of them would be more preferable than Lambert.

Souness short-term would be a good move. He's an utterly lamentable character but he kicks arses.

Same could be said of Roy Keane.