Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

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England’s Raheem Sterling has started the season in red-hot form and his performance at White Hart Lane two weeks ago was no exception. The teenager not only opened the scoring for the Reds but also earned himself man of the match for a second time this season in only three games. Sterling is renowned for his pace and he demonstrated this on Saturday hitting a top speed of 34.22km/h according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. If he continues his form into the Villa game then the Reds may see themselves continue their title push and put pressure on their rivals.

All eyes were on Mario Balotelli on Sunday as the new Liverpool signing made his debut for the reds. With Balotelli having scored on his debuts for both Inter and AC Milan as well as for Manchester City, the pressure was on. The Italian seemed to impress Brendan Rogers and the Sturridge – Balotelli partnership seemed to gel as the game went on. Balotelli wasn’t afraid to have an attempt on goal, and found himself with a tally of five attempts according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index and the striker could pose a serious threat to the villa defence.

After being held responsible for letting Stephan Jovetic draw first blood at Manchester city, Alberto Moreno had a lot to prove at White Hart Lane and he certainly impressed. Moreno helped Liverpool maintain their clean sheet on Sunday by making a total of nine clearances according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and with an 87.7% pass completion Moreno certainly helped Liverpool build their attacks from the back, but his defensive skills will be tested against villa as Agbonlahor proved a handful for the Hull defence and getting himself on the score sheet for his persistency.

Aston Villa will also go into this game with heads held high after a win over Hull in their last fixture, and with Tom Cleverley brought in from Manchester United the Villa team and fans will have even more to be confident about.

Although Villa managed to pull off the win in the end, it was not an easy ride with their defence being tested regularly, Aly Cissokho will see his old team mates when they travel to Liverpool on the 13th and he will most likely face the deadly strike partnership of Sturridge and Balotelli which will prove a huge task, but making eight clearances in the game against Hull we know that Cissokho is defensively capable and he will need to be if Villa are to stand a chance against the deadly duo.

Ron Vlaar aided Cissokho in the defensive effort making a total of 5 clearances according to the EA Player Performance Index, showing that although the Villa defence was tested the defensive pair were up to the task and they will certainly need to be up to the task if they are going to hold off Liverpool in their upcoming game.

Andreas Weimann has started the season in fine form. The Villa forward has earned a place in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index team of the season, scoring two goals in his first three games. Paul Lambert will certainly be hoping his striker can continue his form that has helped see Villa go unbeaten over the first three games.

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Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 327

  1. B62 Villa

    Morning All
    A very difficult trip today to Anfield, this is the start of a set of fixtures that could really define our season, if we get through them picking up a few points and some decent performances the team could draw some real confidence to take forward, if we get battered every week for the next 5/6 weeks, we could easily implode, lose all confidence and really struggle going forward into the rest of the season.
    Therefore it’s imperative we don’t get embarassed up at Anfield today , once again it’s live on TV( we don’t seem to do well on TV), and on paper we shouldn’t stand a chance. But if we can start brightly, draw some confidence from last season when we got a point, which should have been all 3, we may just get a draw out of this game.
    Tekkers being out is a big blow, he terrorised them last season and gave us the platform going forward, we don’t have him and look blunt going forward, we look a bit more solid st the back, but this is another level up from what we have faced before.
    My prediction is a defeat, let’s not get embsrassed or thumped lets give it a right good go, there are so many mismatches on the pitch, but the biggest for me is Rogers V Lambert

  3. Jenny Truman

    Just listening to the playback from last season when we stormed them in first half on TS . Fantastic . They don’t have Suarez but we don’t have Teckers. Unfortunately they have Balotelli and we have ermmmmmmm. But
    Roy Keane will be getting our lads up for it and with more experience on our side this time I’m still optimistic .

  4. Mark King

    jen

    it hasn’t looked likely

    this is the day we have been waiting for, is the new look villa’s defensive improvement and team shape down to poor opposition or genuine change? we shall see. not expecting much on the attacking front but a little of what we showed against hull wouldn’t go amiss. I’m actually looking forward to a game can you imagine that? wish tekkers was back like b62 but if grealish gets 25 I’ll bet he causes poo some problems on their pretty weak right back area.

  5. @RonnieBiggs

    Good’ay Lifers(B62’s signature term),

    First time in a while I’ve liked the look of our team/squad.

    They’ve got loads of talent but do they have a shape and a talisman(aging Gerrard? Sterling? Lovren?)…
    We seem solid now and the players know their roles and each other whereas Liverpool have to avoid the Spurs pattern from last season.

    My 3 key players today are Sendeross in defenceand questions over his athleticism and ability to focus throughout the course of a season, Cleverley in the middle who surely will be slotted right in or why even sign him on loan in the first place (we have been crying out for this type of player when he is on his game for seasons) and Gabby up front say what you want about his limitations and his new 4 yr deal however he still has that explosive pace that strikes fear into opposing defenders and fits our counterattacking style to a T.

    Would love to see Grealish get 30 mins today.

    My team would be:

    Guzan

    Hutton Sendeross Vlaar Cissokho

    Sanchez

    Delph Cleverley Westwood

    Gabby Weimann

    Zoggy Grealish Bent as impact subs

    For my money this is the most interesting match we’ve had in seasons as both pool and us are x factors to start the season so many questions will be answered at both clubs

    UTV!!! 😉

  6. Mark King

    ronnie

    can’t see cleverley starting, we bought Sanchez a proper defensive mid and he hasn’t started in the league yet. If we had brought in a 6’4″ striker he would play simple as. we will probs be 433 or if sanchez is in 4131. as nobody really deserves to be dropped from the last game it will be an interesting choice and will speak volumes for how we are going to approach it. rodgers like a 433 so we will either go like for like or flood the midfield in my opinion.

  7. Frem

    Proper football is back. The Scum V Leeds ( C’mon Leeds) Arsenal V City and Pool vs the best Club in the world

    Still don’t know what Villa will turn up, the Hull Villa, or the Newcastle and Orient Villa ? Hope we don’t put 11 men behind the ball what ever we do. Keep gabby as an outlet up top alongside Wiemann

    Agree with Ronnies diamond. Not sure Sanchez will start, think Richardson or Grealish will come in

  8. Frem

    The first 44 mins of Pool away last season was the only performance last season where I really liked what a saw. 44 mins in a whole season and yet he’s still the manager somehow

  10. Mark King

    frem

    It won’t be the orient villa unless he changes 7 players ( even though we only needed someone to finish) 🙂 we can put 15 behind the ball mate if it means we come back with a point at least, looking goods a bonus at this point in the clubs history, no points no prem. that said I’m with you its nice to look like we know what we are doing 🙂

    just seen the scummers team lineup who? and who? and whooooo?

  12. Paul Pears

    Ronnie Biggs

    Like your formation, but it is good that we have more than one option that could work. Expect gabby to be on fire today and terrorise the’ pool defense.

    Cleverley will also be keen to impress, and Cissy has a point to prove, so i expect villa to be really fired up for this one, with Delph needing to continue to impress and the whole mid-field looking for England opportunities…and show that Gerrard is due his pension…

  14. Frem

    Mark-I’d take Shea From the Scum. At least he’s an out and out winger. Should have kept Albri. The rest though as you say, whoooooo?

    It is nice to have options. Zoggy and Grealish probably on the bench tonight, and Bent. Benteke and Kosak back soon

    10th place should be ours

  15. Mark King

    Tottenham are being lined up for a sensational £1bn takeover.

    American investment firm Cain Hoy confirmed yesterday they are considering making a huge bid for the Premier League club

    Spurs owner Joe Lewis values Spurs at almost £1bn.

  16. Frem

    Mark- Haven’t seen the full City line up but I know Yaya is out and Lampard is in so they will need to pack it. Yaya has the legs of two centre mid players

  20. RichardS

    I actually think that we will do well at Anfield. We have played well there in recent seasons and I think that will continue today. I expect us to play a high tempo pressing game and attack them down the flanks.

    I believe we will beat them today and for some reason I think Weimen is going to have a great game a score.

    1-2 to Villa.

  21. Mark King

    richard s

    you may well be right , I’m not to worried about their midfield Gerrard, Henderson and Allen shouldn’t dominate us. its the unpredictability of sterling and ballotelli coupled with Lambert’s height that will cause us trouble. I’d like Sanchez to start to give us cover from sterling’s runs. hopefully we can do enough to keep them occupied up their end.

  23. RichardS

    Mark – have you seen the betting odds – we are 10-1 to win away. Personally given the start to the season I think they are unbelievable odds. I have just placed a score on the Villa. I would like to see Sanchez start and I think Delph and Cleverley can form a great partnership. Let’s hope Gabby is in the mood today, his pace on the attack will be vital. Looking forward to the game!!!

  24. Mark King

    paul- white harte lane has to be worth a bomb at london property prices and the chances are it will keep going up for evermore. low risk investment, whereas villa ?

  25. Mark King

    richard s – I don’t bet often but that is a gift. talkshites predictiors gave us no hope said last seasons draw was a fluke. watching arsewipe and they are not unbeatable.

  26. John Lerwill

    Hello!! Yes, it’s me back from my international break … Ahem, I should say a house move across the border of the Coleshill Road, aided by being switched off telephone-wise and internet-wise by BT for more than 2 weeks!

    Anyway, it’s been fortuitous that I’ve not missed too much Villa-wise, and I still managed to see Delph’s very reasonable contribution against the Swiss.

    I agree with Mark, that “this is the day we have been waiting for, is the new look villa’s defensive improvement and team shape down to poor opposition or genuine change?”

    An interesting fixture indeed.

    I do expect Villa’s defence to be reasonably water-tight and that the match will end in a draw – 1-1. Or (sadly) a narrow defeat.

    But we shall see!

    UTV

  28. Mark King

    hello John L, welcome back, hope you and the mrs are settled in 🙂

    richard s- I think if we go there and play an open game without discipline like spurs did we will get spanked, on the other hand suck them in and I fancy delph against gerrard and gabby and weiman on the break to get something .

  32. Paul Pears

    Mark

    I agree about London property prices, but Sheldon in Birmingham was sold many years ago for 6d per acre, yes that is right for the old pre-decimal sixpence.

    Aston and the surrounding area to Villa Park, is a major redevelopment area, and will be worth a lot of money in years to come, so it depends on how far into the future buyers view the club and its many assets. It is also perfectly place for transport links. It also has the potential to be developed into a major venue to compete with anything London has to offer. Birmingham needs to continue its development of entertainment in addition to its many facilities to encourage more visitors, and become an international destination for the rich, as well as the the odd businessman.

  35. Frem

    West Brom seem shite. Shame 🙂

    Can see there being a lot of goals in our game, just hope Pool don’t get them

    BR will probably know that Lambert will play a diamond again

    Wiemann man marked Gerrard last season so I doubt BR will play him in the same position again.

    Feck me, Swansea to win the league ?

  41. Frem

    Steamer says it as it is as always 🙂

    This is our real first test against a quality side. We could be caught with our pants down by our ankles. Newcastle and Orient performances were disgraceful, Stoke was a Meh game, defended well. Hull was god for 45 mins

    Today is the real test

  44. John Clark

    Hello all…

    Will have to record the game, just one week to move-in now. Never like being a prime-time fixture, but what can you do?

    I think the comment about the defense is spot on. I think they’re better, as a unit, but don’t know that they’re really going to hold up well against waves of quality attacking. We shall see.

    If Vlaar is out, that’s a big miss. Sendeross seems to have allowed him to play off a bit and do what he does best, not have to try and cover for two or three players. I’d like to see Okore over Baker, on paper, but given the injury, how much time he’s missed and how little he’s actually played, that it would be a wise move. He’s certainly got the makings of a much better player than Baker, and we could use that athleticism.

    I’ll take any points any way they come.

  71. rogermuffin

    actually frem , good point. i missed the start as varnishing my front door and just a got the stream up in time for the goal.

    now a stessfull 60-70 mins to go

    zog and grealis of the bench to make a n impact late on – as a few have already said

  76. rogermuffin

    prox – only get as far as masking tape on half of it , then remembered the game . will keep popoing to finish the taping then will varmich.

    Its not that hot here though

    come on boys get to half time with out conceding

  80. proxopera

    Ok , wtf is going on ? 1 less shot on goal , same number on target (only ours was REALLY on target)
    3 times as many corners with less fouls and cautions and this with approx 33% of possesion. This is’nt our villa is it ?

  81. Frem

    Its a different Villa for sure. Good shape. KR and Cleverley have done there jobs as well. Hutton looks a new player

    Just need gabby to be out let and don’t let them cross to Balo or let him cut in on his right

    Sterling will be on to quicken things up

  83. Jenny Truman

    My villa win of 2 nil is still in reach . Proud of our unwanted freebies. Looking at their big money signings we haven’t done so bad . Roll out the excuses Redknapp – let’s face it Liverpool weren’t good enough .

  86. Mark King

    prox-liverpool did the same to spurs, liverpool are a bit like us they like to counter attack, with no suarez or that other bloke and no sterling yet they don’t create much and are bus is firmly parked

  87. Paul Pears

    C’mon villa….great start….hope dross calms down…obviously Keanr told them all to give Ballotelli a good kicking and slow him down…

    gabby on form..let’s hope he is not injured..

  89. @RonnieBiggs

    John welcome back. Yes lads. Gabby making an impact . Our two centre backs are key in the 2nd half. Sendeross has a great attitude but his lack of pace and sometimes shutting off shows up late and Baker with a brilliant recovery. Cleverley motivated.
    COYVB… love to see Grealish as a real surprise package in about 20 mins!!!

  103. @RonnieBiggs

    this will be a long 25 mins, would love a win, would take a point just worry if they get one what could happen… Weimann’s workrate sensational in our half!!! Proud of our team at the moment. Come on!!!

  117. Mark King

    baker was superb alongside senderos and two actual fullbacks, throw the ball at him and he’ll win it, liverpool clueless without saurez. westwood superb too

  118. Paul Pears

    Where are you Steamer……and frem……Baker MOM…!!!! what next…..So who is the next…..we have had Hutton make MOM at least twice….and now Nathan….Monty will be over the moon….his shirt will be far more valuable now..!!!

  119. @RonnieBiggs

    Yeeeees. What a performance. Lambert has clearly improved as a manager and deserves credit!!! Would have liked to have seen Grealish but I like the way he’s keeping Sanchez and Bent involved as we have a squad now rather than just a team. Baker gave everything today and when doesn’t Sendeross do that. Cisosokho must feel great after that one. Great team spirit at the moment. Will savor this start… Why not?

  122. Mark King

    still can’t believe we have only conceded one goal in four games and we scored it

    steamer- come on mate lets have a smile 🙂

    richards s- lend us £20 you lucky bugger 🙂

  126. John Lerwill

    Jenny, in my books it’s mainly down to 2 things … organisation and team spirit.

    With 10 minutes to go I still thought it would end 1-1, but Pool did not have an idea on how to get through.

    It can get better … maybe this season will be enjoyable after all! 🙂

  127. proxopera

    Cant wait for the excuses on motd .
    10 points in 4 matches is a next to perfect start and hopefully it will take the pressure off the club in general to allow them to start giving fringe players a go.

  128. Mark King

    john l- spot on we are organised and we can improve from there. funny enough 20 to go I just thought liverpool haven’t got enough so I made a cup of tea 🙂

  135. rogermuffin

    Jenny, RK must be making a big difference in training .

    i have seen a lot of our boys getting throws and corners by kicking the ball at the opposition in these few games.

    that is a good good way of disrupting the other team and slowing play down

    sissy did it near the end. scousers must be screwing now . sisy showed them today

  136. Matt Turvey

    Think we’re seeing that with a little bit of money and time, Lambert is proving his worth.

    Simplistic analysis might suggest it is down to Roy Keane, but Lambert has proven that he can punch above his weight when supported with the right funds – perhaps with a little bit of luck, and some continued financial support, we can finally get a proper idea of what Lambert can do at Villa.

    Till then, here’s to another win and a continued unbeaten run…

  138. Jenny Truman

    They played with maturity and stuck with it. They didn’t panic which they tended to last season . We’ve taken on some older , unwanted players which is always risky with the “mercenary, last pay cheque’ label that goes with them. It can go either way as QPR found out with their older team two seasons ago. But , we seem to have the more balance at last – with older players who still care and have a point to prove and moreover pride. I don’t want to get carried away too soon but our old pros stopped their £20 million players in their tracks today . With the likes of Grealish and Benteke’s return we look a far better team than last season .

  143. Jenny Truman

    Our team has been reinvigorated by old bomb squad players like Hutton and Nzog and freebies like sendeross and Cleverley . Unless I’m mistaken these haven’t cost us a penny. We’ve spent less than ever and are stronger than before . It is not the increase in expenditure then that has transformed us but possibly the abandonment of the young hungry and enter training and organization ? Maybe ….

  145. Paul Pears

    Shows just how a team of basically rejects can be organised to prove their worth and become a great unit….a team like the Liverpool of old…I take my hat off to Keane and Lambert…let us hope that it will continue..

    Steamer is obviously struggling to find his hat…..

  146. B6toBrasil

    Kevin Keegan
    Phil Thompson
    Robbie Fowler
    David James
    Micky Quinn
    Jimmy Case
    Colin Murray
    Alan Green
    Jason MacAteer
    Ray Houghton
    G.Souness
    Michael Owen
    John Aldridge
    Jan Molby
    Danny Murphy
    Mark Twaterson
    Jamie Carrager
    Jim Beglin
    Paul Jewell
    Alan Hansen.

    Your boys took one hell a beating.

    All ex `Pool or Pool fans,just a few names from the LFC Media Mafia radio,TV is rammed with `em,,there are many more I missed.Ha,ha,but the famous Scouse humour will see them through a defeat like this.Yipppppeeeeeeeeee.

    Your boys took one hell of a beating

  148. @RonnieBiggs

    Jenny, Cleverley’s a loan with the option to buy and he won’t be cheap especially if he plays like he did today. Perhaps you mean Richardson who has proved one hell of a signing so far, really playing like a man inspired! Old man Cole was signed as a coach/mentor for Grealish et al let’s hope! 😉

  150. Frem

    BR is always good to listen to. SSn didn’t even interview Lambert I don’t think, although we all know what he will say.

    As SSN said, we just let there centre backs have the ball. Wiemann is so wasted on the wing though. Works hard but I think he hates playing there. I hope when we score first in games, we don’t go as defensive as we did today

    3 clean sheets as well

    Was Cole even on the bench ? We will be so much better when CB is back. We play a lot of long balls that just come straight back. We all know CB will hold them up and take pressure of. Disappointed Grealish didn’t come on. Not much trust from Lamberk

    Stoke and WBA lost so a great day all in all

    hopefully a take over will happen soon and we can kick on even more

  151. John Lerwill

    Matt: Think we’re seeing that with a little bit of money and time, Lambert is proving his worth.

    I for one have always thought that he must have something about him, but I do think that the bringing in of RK has made a definite contribution to how things are done. There were clearly problems with Culvrhouse and co but PL seemed to be blind to that by taking them to VP – therefore that plus other issues have indicated some weakness in his management ability.

    The fact that two ex-Man U guys that RK knows have come in, plus the kind of play now visible, suggests to me that RK is the real manager with PL having been instructed by the chairman to learn from RK, the chairman having decided he can’t keep on losing a manager every season or two. RK has said he’s not always going to be around, hasn’t he?

  152. Frem

    Moneyball springs to mind

    40 mill plus of new Pool talent, vs our free agents and 7.5 mill net spend

    Really pleased with Sender. Sissy I think will do fine ok

  153. Frem

    Keane has defo made a diffidence. No fluke the last two seasons were a disgrace to football, then we get someone with a bit of fight and know how and we have improved

    Atletico Madrid are just pure geniuses

  159. Frem

    Lowton and Clark also Andrew

    Lamberk and the fans certainly can’t blame injuries
    , lack of depth or being to young this season if it goes tits up. We have the squad to get 10th, its just down to Lamberk and Keane to get it right

    whats he saying about money ?

  160. steamer

    Rodgers has bought expensive crepe, didn’t rate any one of them and Sakho ? whats he all about ? Sterling has no end product and Grealish is twice the player now, can’t understand why Lambert is reluctant to play him, he’s 19 ffs. Will never join the love in for Lambert, he’s a scab on the game, not a positive bone in his body, totally negative but i suppose the hc’s will be fooled.

  161. steamer

    That’s the worst Liverpool team iv’e ever seen, pathetic, no wonder Rodgers didn’t moan.
    Pleased for Baker although i had Mutton as MotM followed by Dross, Flabby was crepe, Weimann wasn’t playing was he? Cissy did well too, Westwood did f-all as usual.

  162. Frem

    Steamer- I don’t think there is a Lambert love in. I certainly don’t like him and never will

    agree on Grealish. He has top ability, but as we know, Lamberk doesn’t like using our young players. Hardly going to convince him to sign a new deal is it ? Sat on your arse for 90 mins at Anfield Thanks gaffer. Wiemann has been non existent on the wings for ages now. Hes a striker

    SSN went on about Pool missing Sturridge. No mention of us having no Vlaar or Benteke. Twats

  163. rogermuffin

    Steamer,

    have to agree on the liverpool crepe – i think they have done a spurs from last year, ( i hope)

    i guess we know now the best way to get the best out of baker , play him in defence when he doesn hae to run to much then he can get in the way – he was awesome today

  164. rogermuffin

    frem, – its good if ssn dont go on about us. long may it continue, motd will do it as well, if the rest of medja – ignore us – let them – all the better.

    &let the rest of premier league ignore us as well .

    the longer they do the better off we will be in the table

  165. B6toBrasil

    Frem

    TV and radio are full of Lpool,either from there or ex players,look at my list above.All you will hear and read this weekend ,is Sturridge blah blah,blah,Senderos should have been off,blah,blah,blah,.They had 1 shot on target in the whole match,at home versus a crepe Villa team.We should have had 2 more goals.Lambert,Keane,Lerner,and Mr.Fox should all resign unbeaten and 2nd in September isn`t good enough.
    COYVB.

  166. Paul Pears

    Cleverley is a done deal with regard to purchase after loan. price is set in the contract…it is up to Villa if they are happy to pay the balance of £7.5m. at the end of his loan, otherwise he goes back to Utd.

    Lambert did not play Grealish for sensible reasons, if we had manged a two goal lead , he would have played him from around 70mins.
    Grealish is happy with Villa and has already said he is signing his new 4 deal. he is another Gabby..loves his club…so much cr^p written here at times.

    Grealish will be used more and more as Villa gain and have less pressure on the team.

  167. B6toBrasil

    Agree PP

    Grealish will be used and he will get plenty of game time.I am impressed with him,his attitude,his ability,etc.Lambert was spot on with his tactics today,and selection.A lot of sour grapes being spouted by the L`Pool loving meeeddddjaaaah,Villa were over physical ,no credit to AVFC.Maybe the days of soft touch Villa are over.Oh dear,I will be pigeon holed as a happy clapper.

  168. Frem

    I bet they don’t show or mention Lallana diving which should of been his second yellow. I bet knowone mentions we had no Vlaar

    PP- Is he a 8 mill pound player ? Not sure. Grealish should be used more than just when we are two up. He should be starting games. hes 19 now

  169. Paul Pears

    what more can I ask?

    my footie team won today and are second in the Premiership. best start for 13 years. Nice meal in the oven…a gorgeous bottle of red wine and last night of the Proms on telly…and off on holiday soon…!!!! Bring on the good times…!!!

  171. Paul Pears

    Frem

    the deal was we paid £1m as part of the deal to cover his loss of wages…we are paying £500k during the loan period…..balance left to pay £7.5m. if he is not such aplayer, then we will not complete the deal….we hold all the cards….LVG is a bit of a tw*t, when you look at it.. he is doing a Lambert, but not still got the players to bring back..!!!

  172. B6toBrasil

    PP

    LNOTP are they still showing that?Blimey ,enjoy.I am delighted with the win,and won`t apologise for that,well done Lambert,you`ve taken lots and lots of abuse,you deserve credit tonight.I`ll take a win however it comes.They have been so rare these last 4 years.COYVB.

  173. Matt Turvey

    John,

    Roy Keane the real manager? Seriously?

    What about his mediocre to poor time at Ipswich? Or his failure to build on things with Sunderland?

    I respect that Keane will have a proportional impact on things, but the idea that his arrival is the rationale for our turn around is far too facile an argument for me – too many variables have moved around to pin the success on Keane or to suggest he is pulling the strings when he has had a fair worse managerial career compared to Lambert.

  174. Jenny Truman

    I’m certainly not a Lambert lover yet and I’m not convinced his managerial skills have improved overnight either . PLs first two season’s reign with his chosen back room staff of 8 years, Culverhouse and Karsa were very poor . PL said on his arrival that experience was not the answer and the future was young and hungry . This failed miserably and we have now seen a complete u turn in philosophy where good experience is valued for what it is on the pitch and also to help rising stars like Grealish. The team look more organised and confident and the majority of the PLs signings have been shown the door. So what has changed at AV ? There’s less money spent this season so it’s not that PL has been given more funds . The only apparent change is the dismissal of IC and the introduction of RK. PL stated publicly in an article that IC played a big part in management in that he selected the players , supervised training and even tactics and substitutions . It follows that RK now has this role and the choice of new players coming in look more like RK type than the youngsters that IC and PL favoured. It’s early days but both Dwight Yorke and Gabby said that the game was won by the hard work they put in on the training ground . And who takes training ? It’s going to be interesting because if it is RK pulling the strings and orchestrating our up turn in form then he will want recognition .

  176. Frem

    Spot on Jenny

    Matt- As John says, and Jenny says, RK most be the main factor

    If Keane is doing as much as IC did by the sounds of things, then Keane is pretty much the manager. IC did everything if rumors are to believed

  179. Frem

    We can get at Arsenal then from set plays and the wings. As MOTD are showing, they leave so much space out wide

    Don’t play Wiemann on the wing then cus h ain’t no winger. its painful watching him there

  180. Matt Turvey

    Jen,

    Lambert espoused a certain mentality because that was the context in which he was working – he had little money so what options did he have? Limited wages, limited fees – remember the manager is restricted by the context in which his chairman sets him.

    Take the bomb squad – whose idea do you think that was? The manager? He was told to get rid and remove high earners and was following protocol and keeping quiet because he is a professional man.

    Sure Lambert isn’t perfect, but comparing him and Keane head to head as of today, he is by far a better manager with a better record and career to date – that may not stay the same forever, but right now there’s a reason why Lambert has the manager’s job and Keane is the assistant…

  181. rogermuffin

    lambo and rk – could be the new cloughie and Peter Taylor?

    Also what if we went through the next 6/7 games stil unbeaten?

    Would lambo get any credit?

    & don’t we have a defensive coah – scott marshall, so shouldn’t he be getting some credit,
    rk can’t take it all!

  183. Matt Turvey

    Likewise who takes training at most other clubs? Not normally the manager but coaches.

    However, people still laud other managers despite such a setup so why do we judge our own club with some different rationale whilst we laud other managers who similarly don’t run training either…

  184. Frem

    If we actually made an attempt to attack Newcastle we would have beat them hands down. They are shocking, but we didn’t even muster a shot on target. Thats annoying

  187. Heroes-and-Villans

    Ha ha frem…..still not happy mate!!

    I think im dreaming, conceded one own goal in four games. 2nd in the league. After the next 4 games we will still be comfy mid table if we loose them all. What a start!

    It makes no sense to me. I reall had us down as cannon fodder. I know nothing!

  188. Trinity

    Fine win.

    Could only see the first half. I’m amazed at Hutton’s good form. Talk about going from zero to hero. Good for him.
    Senderos looks like a real Pren League central defender. The whole team looked up for it.
    Could Lambert & Keane be a very good managerial duo for us?
    Lambert’s been talking about momentum in the team. They’re building some good confidence, that’s for sure.

  189. Frem

    I’m happy mate, just want perfection now 🙂 Newcastle are god awful. Should be on 12 points, not 10 😉

    What did the MOTD commentator just say ? ” You wont see many footy mans who don’t love to see wingers take on defenders ”

    I know a manager who doesn’t like it

  192. B6toBrasil

    Well said Matt,it`s the same old narrative .If we win the opposition are rubbish,when we lose we have the worst team,manager,staff,and coaching in the country.Lambert is rubbish,Villa consolidate and look decent,then it must be Keane who has done this.Promising signings that could represent good value?Well.that must be Keane as well.

  194. Paul Pears

    I do believe as others are now commenting, that Keane and Lambert combined could easily be another Clough and Taylor, and in a similar way, Clough was only half the manager without Taylor. It is the combination that works, and hopefully it will be the same at Villa. We could be the new Forest….teamwork…teamwork….working for each other….only time will tell, but today’s result certainly gives heart for the forthcoming fixtures.

    If you reflect Frem, perhaps the problem with young and hungry was not so much Lambert’s tactics, but the youngsters failure to be able to put them into action all the time. Now he has players with experience who know the score.

  195. @RonnieBiggs

    Matt,
    Forever the voice of reason.

    B6 the hc this really is odd, has the world gone mad?
    If steamer ever comes over to the hc dark side I may have to leave this blog because the apocalypse is surely coming.

    What next mutton our player of the year and baker motm. This just can’t be right can it?!?!?

    2nd in the league and rk the tintin captain saviour gets ALL the credit while lamberk has suffered through this crepe for 3 yrs. Doesn’t make much sense in my books.

    It’s not possible that lamberk is actually learning year on year and improving? He did win a euro cup as a player didn’t he so must know a thing or two about the game.

  196. @RonnieBiggs

    Also our lauded academy it must be said in this blog for all it’s plaudits has produced. Baker, constantly slated, weimann always slagged and most recently Grealish who is apparently God’s gift to football but outside of these exceptions our villa talent factory has produced FAON in regards to players capable of producing at prem level, the truth hurts don’t it! 😉

  197. Mark King

    matt- totally agree, RK adds something but now we have players that can stick to the plan,

    steamer- no-one will laugh if you dance at the party, its been crap long enough.

  200. Jackvilla

    A solid result from Villa,just shows how good a job Lambert and Keane are doing.Cleverly was neat and tidy;with him,Westwood and Delph patrolling the middle,a top half finnish is certain. Baker was my man,Vlaar was not missed at all. All in all another positive result for Villa

  201. The Droyd

    What a great win. Doesn’t get anymore satisfying than a victory at the bin dippers.

    Was out celebrating in Worcester last night so a bit worse for wear now. Mainly celebrating my cricket club getting promoted but the Villa game was a nice bit of icing on the cake.

    Sign Lambert up ASAP!

  202. SuperBox

    Is it Lambert? Is it Keane?

    What about the fact that we had 4 new players starting, complimenting the players we would all generally have kept in the team (apart from Frem picking Gabby).

    Maybe our signings (and Hutton) have actually improved us, combined with experience from our existing players about what PL wants, combined with better disciplined coaching from Keane.

    I suspect it’s a combination of all 3 at least.

    I am currently preparing a Humble pie for my Sunday lunch based on the fact I thought adding Senderos and Hutton to our back line was a huge mistake. They have both proved me wrong. So far. If they keep this up I’ll have to eat my hat and visit the bottom of my stairs. Probably at the same time.

  204. John Lerwill

    Matt: the idea that his [RK’s] arrival is the rationale for our turn around is far too facile an argument for me…

    If you find the argument “facile”, Matt, I’m afraid I find your response a tad trite – nowhere was I trying to suggest that RK’s involvement is the only reason for the club’s change. It’s obvious that RL has moved his stance as well.

    But I do say – loud and clear – that under normal circumstances PL would have gone long ago but for the fact that we’d already had a swift turnaround of managers and RL didn’t want to give away more redundancy money.

    But RK’s trademark is to be seen pretty well everywhere on the pitch. I don’t see how it can be denied. I’m quite aware of RK’s managerial record, but he did bring Sunderland up from the lower division and why not think that he’s learnt something from his experiences instead of dismissing him?

  205. John Lerwill

    SB: Maybe our signings (and Hutton) have actually improved us, combined with experience from our existing players about what PL wants, combined with better disciplined coaching from Keane.

    Yes, I agree with that. I think that was the underlying aspect of what I was saying before actually but didn’t put it in such a summarily good way! 😉 I do think that RK’s influence has been see in the signings we’ve seen, though, in addition.

  206. Mark King

    The top teams are now going over the match to work us out. What makes me happy is we have options enough to keep them guessing while staying compact.
    What impressed me most was we took it to Liverpool at home and should of been 2 up with senderos’s header then shut the door in their face. Except for the shot that hit the post did Guzan have to make a real save? Watch every team copy the mark the defensive mids tactic against Liverpool now, it worked a treat I bet pools defence had 80% of their possesion

  207. John Lerwill

    Jenny: I’m certainly not a Lambert lover yet and I’m not convinced his managerial skills have improved overnight either .

    Spot on, lass. Matt is quite right about the restrictions placed on him by the chairman, but in my view any manager coming in and accepting such a scenario (where commonsense went out of the window in so many ways) must not have had his head quite screwed on properly, to be frank. I can’t imagine a Brian Clough or even Big Ron accepting such an imposition, and neither was it right for the club.

    Aside from which PL brought in IC and his buddies (which obviously produced negatives) and there were other strange things that went on (team and playing-wise) that were not connected with the chairman.

    It may be that RK and PL just work well together and we’re seeing the fruit of that. However, when RK goes (as he has suggested), will PL be able to cope?

    Anyhow, perhaps it’s better just to watch and not wonder too much so long as there’s something +ve taking place!

  208. Mark King

    John l
    In the circumstances villa have endured I would of been surprised if any manager would of made a fist of it. Would RK of survived these last two seasons? We don’t know but we do know lambert has.
    Moving our buying options into the 26+ bracket has worked for us as it has given us shape and discipline to add to the talent we already have in the squad! as in most areas in life experience counts but we will never know why lambert didn’t do it last season? My guess is wages.

  209. Mark King

    I’m amazed too that lambert put up with the restrictions and in truth still is to a degree. The man must be mega patient not a bad trait for the long term, not so for a quick fix. Everyone thought building slowly was a good idea until it involved pain. This team is not what you would of hoped to see as a finished article but could prove useful for blooding youngsters that will provide that future success. it has come about again in unusual circumstances with two managers that have brought teams up from the lower leagues not one

  210. Mark King

    One thing has just struck me, everyone see’s RK as a very principled person. Pulls no punches and tells it as it is. So why would he put up with lambert if what most think about him is true? That for me says he has respect for him

  211. John Lerwill

    Mark: why would he put up with lambert if what most think about him is true? That for me says he has respect for him

    Well, I’m not so sure it’s a simple as that, Mark.

    I feel pretty certain that RK has been brought in to bolster a weak side of Lambert and that Lambert has been told to work with it with no argument. Perhaps agreement to that situation has enabled PL to keep his job.

  212. John Lerwill

    Matt: [PL} was told to get rid and remove high earners and was following protocol and keeping quiet because he is a professional man.

    Yes Matt, I’m sure you’re right concerning PL’s instruction. But, as I said, why would a good manager who is worth his salt accept that imposition?

    In fact, the definition of “professional” that you profess here is maybe the clue. In my view a professional is one who is trained to a high degree in a particular skill and who applies his training to good effect. To me that should be the sole meaning of the word. The notion that “professionalism” means that you simply read from the same hymn sheet without question is anathema to me and I have given up jobs (or been removed) because if something is serious enough I stand by my principles. Because of that I ‘ve worked most of my life as a self-employed person, as you might guess.

    Interestingly, I find that when you stand up for something you gain, not lose – though not maybe in the short term. And you can help to change things for the better. I’d rather have that than the term “professional” to be debased.

  213. Jenny Truman

    Hi Trinity . Back safe and sound thank you. 🙂

    We won’t know how much RK is involved In the turnaround but we do know PL has changed overnight from excluding experienced players like Hutton (who he made it clear wasn’t wanted ever again ) and choosing to buy inexperienced players instead . Yes he had restrictions , but he chose to buy nearly exclusively young untried rather than balance the team with a few older heads . That policy nearly cost us our Premiership status .

    Our new recruits haven’t cost the earth and so the same restrictions apply but they have made a big improvement .The young and hungry policy contributed to our dreadful performances IMO and made us painful to watch . As time went on , these young players actually seemed to deteriorate – how many times did we ask what are they doing in training and wondered why there was no improvement . Was IC the reason for this? This went on for two seasons with poor tactics and the worst home form on record.

    Now there is a complete u turn in policy . No more young and hungry but re introduce the much maligned bomb squad and bring in the “older experienced ” players who PF and PL had described as mercenaries who hadn’t worked before.

    Our summer signings point to someone else’s influence judging by what had been bought before by PL and IC . Now we have a more balanced squad , players with better skills than the likes of Tonev and co and a self confidence which has been missing for seasons. We now have men not boys and yesterday showed that these old pros weren’t going to be fazed by the ’emperors clothes’ type players that are fetching £20 mill plus.

    Yesterday was a victory not just for us but for the underdogs in the premier league and dare I say it the older and unwanted players. That made the win so much sweeter knowing that our whole team cost less than Lovengran (can’t remember his name ) and their resolve and determination won the day. We stopped them playing and they had no reply.

    I know it’s early days and maybe next week I will be bemoaning our inability to spend more money if Arsenal give us a drubbing , but right now I can see us holding our own . Yesterday showed we weren’t a pushover to any team regardless of how much money they’d spent . When Teckers returns we will be even better and superior to the other relegation contenders at the bottom of the table who we were scrapping with before.

    Rumour had it that Grant Holt was brought in last season to sort out the dressing room indicating that PL had a problem there. Well whether it is RK or the introduction of the new senior players it looked well and truly sorted yesterday. At last we can see team effort, passion and pride and even without captain Vlaar they were composed with senior players like Sendeross keeping it together . It was a terrific team effort and seeing Sendeross punching the air afterwards showed how much it meant to them.
    They must be raring to go for Arsenal , as are all villa fans and when was the last time we could say that !

  214. runtings

    great win – love it 🙂

    Too many people i know not from liverpool support them so i am well happy

    what a difference a defence makes , this along with a more sensible level of player has made a huge difference

    credit to lambo/keano for there tactics yesterday and what seems like a good mood in the camp

    stll some real tough games to come so enjoying the moment without getting ahead of myself
    Lambert seems to have learn a few lessons in how you run a big club finally but still has to go a very long way to convince me he is the right man long term

  216. John Lerwill

    Jenny,

    Many thanks!

    We’re OK but it’s the cats we’re scared for! There are two BIG bouncers out there who seem to be just waiting for our softies to go out so they can have ’em for breakfast!!

    Hope you had a good hols. Sounds as though you did.

  218. steamer

    Lambert & Keane the new Clough and Taylor wwwwwwwwwwhhhaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttt, heard it all now.
    Ten years since the greatest manager in English football died, GENIUS not KNOB.
    Mark,
    Keane tells it as it is ? no he tells it as he sees it, big, big difference.

  220. steamer

    Frem,
    Mason is a dickbrain, he saw Lallana’s blatent dive and ignored it because the media would make it an excuse for Pool getting outplayed, disgraceful and gutless, Lallana should take a few lessons off Pools diving coach, Steven Gerrard. The whole club is full of cheats.

  221. B6toBrasil

    Steamer

    Clough was the greatest ever In these days of hype and bullshine,the word great is not misused toward him Imagine a club like say Ipswich today.A man comes in gets them promoted,wins the PL then wins the CL twice,yes twice.Amazing manager

  223. Mark King

    Steamer
    So what he see’s must be ok for his principles then?

    JL- why not that simple? The truth is if lambert was worried about his job he could just walk and get his money. The fact he isn’t and seems and to want to finish what he started and prove himself and others wrong is admirable in this day and age. He admits young and useless didn’t work. RK took the post as it suits his agenda getting back into full time football after a couple of bad times with Ipswich and Sunderland where he didn’t buy the right players so it seems. I posted the wages for last season a while back 17 where on 15000 down to 5000 a week that was done for a reason and it wasn’t because they were what we ideally needed

    I still don’t think lambert is genius or the pair are clough and Taylor I just can’t buy into lambert being a dribbling idiot of a puppet.

  224. John Lerwill

    Mark: The truth is if lambert was worried about his job he could just walk and get his money.

    No, not if he “walked”, Mark. He would only get his money if he were to be pushed out.

    I agree with some of the purport of the remainder of your comment … Of course PL wants to prove himself, and certainly while he is at a club like Villa. That’s a reasonable p.o.v. as also your point about RK.

    But somewhere/somehow a decision was made to bring in RK … RK couldn’t just walk into the job without being invited. And the fact that the result is so different to what IC produced is intriguing – helped of course by the change of policy on the ‘bomb squad’ etc. I’d be interested to know who caused RL to have his mind changed there – or perhaps that policy was purely down to PF and once he was gone RL didn’t need a lot of persuading to effect change.

    Anyway, someone saw that PL needed a certain kind of help that only the likes of RK could provide.

  225. southwestvillan

    Loved the assault on Balotelli and Sterling just goes to show if you go to Anfield and show some balls you can come away with a result, thought Cleverley had a tidy first game it is just nice to be at the other end of the table for a change lets enjoy it while it lasts, we certainly look stronger defensively but need CB back as soon as possible.

    UTV

  226. Matt Turvey

    John,

    Trite? Really?

    As for professionalism, sometimes things go badly and you don’t hit eject or publicly talk about it – doing that when you see some other greater goal is an aspect of professionalism, not being debased.

    We are talking about a man in a job paid thousands a week here, not some Cambodian child picking rubbish tips to survive. Lambert has had his restrictions, but he’s seen a bigger picture of being able to manage Villa. You yourself espouse the rationale that we are a massive club – how else do people get to manage massive clubs without either a) a very long career or b) taking a risk to go into a job that others with sense might turn their nose up at?

    I know and appreciate you have had a more free spirited life due to your own self-employment as you say, but in football that isn’t really an option – managers have to make the most of what they can do and, if we’re honest, there was no massive queue for the managerial slot at Villa Park in recent years.

    Of course Lambert isn’t to be credited for everything that ever happens, but this logic that some apply in which he is wholly responsible for everything that is negative but others are responsible for all the positives is, in short, nonsense.

    Either way, we’ve done well to be where we are so far. Should Lambert have quit because it was an impossible situation? Sometimes people don’t take the easy route out because they see something bigger than a few hurdles that are transient – it isn’t debasing one’s self to work at a long term project, especially if Villa are to be seen as the sleeping giant they are lauded as.

    It can’t be presented both ways – that Lambert is a fool for sticking around, but that Villa are a sleeping giant. If there’s a bigger picture – and the idea Villa are a big club in rough times suggests so – then Lambert is being a professional for keeping on going whilst the times are tough hoping that the wages situations gets better which, as you know, it has started to.

    If everyone had that mentality and belief system that there’s no point working under what was a (comparatively) short term issue – finances being very restricted – we’d either have had managers changing every year or less or we’d have had no applicants at all.

    Working under pressure is, in my opinion, something we all face at times. If you can afford to totally be outside the system and make decisions in such a manner, that’s perfectly fine, but I’d also state it is not in keeping with the norm, is an edge case at best, and that it isn’t really a path a man can take in team sports.

  227. Matt Turvey

    PS The facile statement wasn’t something targeted at you – it was a point about how the suggestion that Keane turning up is put forward as a sole reason for things being different when, as you know, reality is far more complex and nuanced than such an idea would imply.

  228. Dee

    Excellent defensive display to withstand an entire half of liverpool possession and probing. Very disciplined, excellent shape, strength and commitment. But Lambert for me is simply too negative and gets by on playing containment football hence why no grealish or n’zogbia in the starting line-up. Whether it’s chelsea or burnley, he’ll set the team up exactly the same way. He will assess his forwards on what they can bring defensively to the team rather than their attacking strengths. We all know grealish has more guile, ability, technique and composure than weimann and gabby together yet PL chose not to play him because he couldn’t trust him defensively. As for gabby’s bobbling, bouncing strike, that sums it up for me-the most technically inept player i have ever seen! He is that bad and before someone comes on here to give me stick, let’s wait until the end of the season to see whether he can better his average of 3 goals and 2 assists per season!

  230. Mark King

    JL- what makes you think Lambert didn’t ask Keane directly as they are supposed to be friends? or even ask that he should be approached. Keane came before fox so I don’t think it was him and randy hasn’t got the football nous to know if Keane would help or not IMO.
    the fact the bomb squad are even talking to him makes me think they understood it wasn’t his decision but one of economics that backfired. do you think that we could of gone with the same squad from last season and Keane would of got better results from them? personally I don’t, they were too green and lacked leadership on the pitch which senderos provides.
    Lambert and Keane are even beard buddy’s now.

  231. Mark King

    dee
    I don’t think anyone will take that bet 🙂
    you do seem to of forgotten the first 25 mins when we took it to liverpool and looked the more likely to score, indeed we could of been clear of them if senderos had headed straight. we put lots of pressure on them from corners something we failed to do last season and generally had the better of it hardly negative. when the pressure mounted we acquitted ourselves well

  232. John Lerwill

    Matt: it was a point about how the suggestion that Keane turning up is put forward as a sole reason for things being different

    But I wasn’t saying that, Matt. Nowhere did the word “solely” come up in my comment in fact or by inference.

    On “professionalism”, I stick by what I said before. But again I seem to be misconstrued! 🙂 And, no, I have not ALWAYS been self-employed so know full well what’s required in employment. There are certainly times (and probably the great majority of the time) when the common good IS served by singing from the same hymn sheet – but that certainly does not always apply and in my view a *true* professional removes himself in such circumstances rather than associates himself with anything that reeks of being against justice or against what’s right (which, grant you, is a subjective matter). And that includes football managers and things that have taken place at VP. Ron Saunders comes to mind as a past example.

    We probably just see things a wee bit differently, Matt, but the fact that the chairman is trying to sell (or staying put but taking a different tack) may resolve matters. I hope so.

  233. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    I agree that PL may well have done what you suggest … but I think we’re all lacking knowledge about what’s really gone on. Certainly – as you say – RL would not have the nous, but he has been known to seek advice (e.g. from Alex Ferguson).

    The fact I waiver on your p.o.v. is that RK and IC seem such diametrically different people. What would make PL on his tod bring in IC (having known about his foibles from previous experience) and then, again on his tod, move to get someone of the somewhat better stature of RK? To me the move seems to have taken place with outside assistance.

  234. John Lerwill

    Matt: We are talking about a man in a job paid thousands a week here, not some Cambodian child picking rubbish tips to survive.

    That he’s earning so much means that he should be in a better position to stand up for the best values. He’s not going to end up in a B & B, is he?

    This seems to be part of the trouble these days – that there’s a thinking in certain industries that people are paid so much and thus should be excused for not standing up for what’s right. e.g. the bankers, as well as football people.

    This blog has seen many people complain at the waffle we’ve had from the board and manager alike this past 4 years, and it’s bound to cause discontent. The fans have been talked to as though they are children – or, worse, not talked to at all properly – so is that being professional on their part?

    I take your point about seeing the bigger picture, but I haven’t really seen any evidence (prior to this season – and even now I’m not convinced) that PL has got a true long term vision.

    We have to wait and see what transpires.

  235. steamer

    If Culverarse signed the players, picked the team, chose the tactics and subs what exactly did Lambert do ? is it not probable that Keane is doing the same ?
    Lambert at the very least condoned the behaviour of Karsa ,and IC, if not encouraged it, therefore he should have been booted for reasons apart from his pathetic results.
    If he thought the players he signed weren’t good enough why sign them and in such quantity ? and why insult us by stating that in two or three years they would be challenging Untied, City and Arsenal ?
    In his three years at VP he’s broken all sorts of negative records, lost 14,000 season ticket holders, made us the least watchable team in the league and lied through his teeth to any gullible fool who cares to listen, these same people now worship him as the messiah because he’s unbeaten after four games, unbelievable.

  236. steamer

    That’s it, blame Chubby, he may have been a pratt but he needed guidance to reach that level, now he’s a convenient scapegoat when the real architects for this shambles of a club escape and indeed are praised, mind boggling.

  238. John Lerwill

    Matt,

    What Steamer has recounted really does backup the argument against PL.

    He may have turned a new leaf, however, but only when forced to do so.

    The jury is still out, but we at least are moving in a better direction. It’s a pity … we could have been at this point at least 2 years ago, but perhaps it’s all meant to be.

  239. Mark King

    Jl
    Lambert brought IC in as they had worked together at norwich which you can understand all managers want someone they can trust. Considering lambert is on his last year RC is a logical choice as he doesnt want a permanent position and he may have well approached lambert, as you say we dont know but as matt said people seem to lean toward keane being the true architect of our upturn

  241. Jenny Truman

    No he didn’t Mark he claimed constructive dismissal which is a firm of unfair dismissal . When your employment contract is substantially changed and conditions make it untenable to continue working at your position , you have the same redress as if you were unfairly dismissed .

  242. Jenny Truman

    What Steamer said makes perfect sense to me . The financial restrictions have been even tighter this summer so PL is working under the same constraints so we haven’t improved because of money spent but maybe because of type of players bought and better training and attitude . Is it PL who has given them the self belief, confidence and composure to see the game through or RK? We don’t know of course but it’s too much of a coincidence for me that RK appears and the players attitude is transformed and no one has scored against us . Because what were the last two seasons about ?

  244. Jenny Truman

    PL. brought in IC as he’d worked with him at his last three clubs . He thought very highly of him but ICs methods and training contributed to our dreadful form. RK might not be the messiah but has to be an improvement . They were ran ragged yesterday and kept going. Would RK even be there if IC hadn’t been dismissed or would we still be subjected to embarrassing performances ? Could PL not see what was going on ?

  245. Mark King

    Jen

    thank you, so Lambert could claim the same as he’s had it ten times worse than MON if he chose to? unless he signed some ludicrous contract conditons

    QPR are rubbish though

  246. Mark King

    jen

    we will never know regards IC as he self destructed, our upturn could just as well be his absence and more experience in the side. I think the answer is a mix of all these things including RK’s influence. I still think wages were the worst constraint guiding player recruitment, there is no way joe cole and our new signings are on 10,000 a week

  247. Mark King

    the next hurdle for us is how we respond if we go behind against one of the top sides or indeed anyone and make no mistake we will at some point. that’s when you will see the true mettle of this side. myself I think they will respond even if we don’t win. one things for sure if keep playing like this and getting the results we might just fluke are way to the title 😉

    what’s the odds on harry getting the sack ? there will be a job at Newcastle for him soon I think

  248. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Constructive dismissal can be claimed by anyone leaving an employer, but you have to have a case first! 😉

    MON’s case was based (it would seem) on an attempt at being diverted from the course of plan that he had agreed with the club. Has that happened in the case of PL?

  249. Mark King

    JL

    as I’m not privy to that information I don’t know, I’m amazed he got anything considering how much he cost villa with his buying and wage policy, all agreed I know but If I vertually bankrupted my employers I’m sure they’d give me a massive pay off, not

  250. John Lerwill

    Mark: Lambert brought IC in as they had worked together at norwich which you can understand all managers want someone they can trust.

    Yes, but I’m sure I can recall that there were issues such as cropped up at VP in IC’s earlier sojourn with Lambert. If that was the case, it’s interesting that PL chose to ignore those issues.

  251. Jenny Truman

    Yes – MON could claim constructive dismissal because of what was agreed or even implied at the time he entered into the contract . You can bet your bottom dollar that RL wasn’t gojng to be caught twice and would have covered every angle in PLs contract . The “young and hungry” being shorthand for cheap I guess. MONs goal was very different to PLs .

  252. Mark King

    jen
    what about sacking his staff? making him alienate members of the playing staff? sticking a target on his head and saying we won’t back you properly so get used to being hated? would they count? 😉

    thank god we got senderos instead of reo a sentence I never thought I would utter 🙂

  253. Jenny Truman

    I was staggered MON succeeded too Mark. I was surprised he had the audacity to attempt it given the closeness to season start . But , who knows what went on which prompted his walk out . It was settled out of court – and this could mean that RL didn’t want his name dragged through the courts and papers . He’s a very private individual . It doesn’t mean that MON had a good case necessarily . Sometimes people settle for publicity reasons . I think MON was lucky . It sounded tenuous to me.

  254. Heroes-and-Villans

    Its no fluke what we do. Last season we beat arsenal, man city, chelsea, drew with pool, now we beat pool.

    It may be negative but it works for us. Dig deep and counter with pass.

    What we have to improve is possession and attacking intent at vp

  258. Jenny Truman

    The fact that PL was seemingly ignorant of the BMH fiasco and the gloomy place it had become with IC and GK suggests 1 . He didn’t have his finger on the pulse and 2. Was too removed from the players . Why didn’t they complain to him earlier .

    Also , was it PLs choice to bring in Given , a player he’d outlawed earlier .
    As it seems Given was forced on him I can’t help but think RK was not his choice either . Why ? It is unusual to pick a higher profile assistant than yourself particularly one with Keane’s reputation. Who do those players listen to – Roy Keane who’s playing career they can only dream about having or PL, whose AV managerial career has been embarrassing . RK is more likely to he their hero than PL – rightly or wrongly . I think they will therefore respect RK more . That’s all conjecture of course , I’d just love to be a fly on the wall in that dressing room 🙂 Can you imagine them having a disagreement – the battle of the beards 🙂

  259. The Droyd

    We are 2nd, have had a magnificent start to the season and yet there are still several of you still being highly negative about our manager.

    It really is pathetic.

  260. Jenny Truman

    It’s called debate Droyd not negativity . No one is being negative about the team or the results . It is not unreasonable to wonder how this remarkable turnaround has come about and this involves assessing what has changed and who has been brought into change it . Comparing what went before and what is happening now is also part of the process.

  264. Heroes-and-Villans

    I am very fickle, give me a winning villa team and i love everyone…..even the away fans were singing paul lamberts claret and blue army yesterday. Bit different to the last game at spurs last season!! Football can sure turn around quickly.

    I have never seen anything like this at villa before.

  265. Mark King

    I can’t get my head around the fact we have a man according to a lot of people in charge of our team who is completely clueless, yet has beaten the topsides with a cheap team on numerous occasions all by shear luck? its like getting monkeys to write enough pages that they eventually write the complete works of Shakespeare.
    could any of us truly step into his shoes and make a better fist of it?
    If he had been given a fair chance as MON did and gave us the same tripe fair enough but he hasn’t its been done with both hands behind his back like him or not plenty of teams have paid him to run their teams can they all be wrong?
    is Lambert the greatest conman of our times? or a manager learning his trade under very testing circumstance. harry rednap at qpr is a very strongly rated manager and has had money and time and his side looks poor is he a bad manager?

  266. Jenny Truman

    Look at the facts . 2 seasons of to use Droyd’s learned words “pointless drivel” and now top 2 and beating Liverpool with men instead of boys and more confidence and belief than the last two seasons put together . If this had been a gradual improvement and PLs back room staff had stayed the same if agree it would be “learning his trade”. But it isn’t – it’s dramatic and involved a high profile assistant . 4 good games don’t wipe out 2 abysmal seasons .
    It’s not a question of being right or wrong : it’s interpreting the little info we have . “Pointless speculative drivel” to you Droyd but no one imagined us being 2nd even at this early stage of the season.

  268. Mark King

    jen
    Lambert came out and said we lack experience before RC joined and with little funds has found players with the help of staff because that’s what managers do they have networks and staff to help. The previous two seasons were up and down with a lot of down, young inexperienced players will give you that but they are cheap and that is the deciding factor. wages now under control we can afford experienced player wages and it helps most were free 🙂

  269. Mark King

    the crazy thing is we were all expecting disaster this season. yes it could still happen but you have to feel a little more confident surely with big hitters to come back. lads like grealish are starting to make an impact and confidence and team spirit are at a high, 1 goal conceded, teams that spanked us beaten, it all feels surreal.
    we are up for sale and on a shoe string FFS and still we are second it is a weird, weird, situation. the weirdest thing is this is a team waiting to be sold and probably dismantled by its new owner what is their inspiration? what difference will a real goal threat make? all I know is I am loving it!

  270. steamer

    Jen,
    A few months ago a former player of L,C & K at Colchester tweeted that they were like gangsters at the club when he was there and he wasn’t surprised that they were booted, now Lambert hired them for all his clubs and didn’t know what they were like ? Guilty as charged, get rid, disgrace to the name of AVFC.

    Mark,
    Also lost to Bradford ( Cost £7,500 ), Millwall ( In relegation trouble ), Sheff United ( Bottom of Lge 1 ) and Orient reserves.

  271. Frem

    The circumstances really haven’t been that bad for Lamberk.Hes had 50 million to spend. You don’t lose 12 home games in a season unless there is something drastically wrong with your manager.

    we’ve already put in two shite performances this season against orient and Newcastle. Yesterday we were fantastic but we hardly set the world alight against Stoke and Hull either.

    I hate him as a manager and always will for what he did to us last season. Just because we are 4 games in and have 10 points doesn’t make up for what he did to us last season. Even Mcliesh went 10 games unbeaten with the Scum in 09/10 season. Shall we get him back ? His contract runs out in the summer. If we finish 12,13th etc, should he stay on ? No way

    I’m delighted we have 10 points on the board. Am I delighted with Lamberk? no. 3 wins doesn’t make up for 81 shite ones all in all

  273. The Droyd

    I think some of you are possibly mentally ill and have a bizarre need to whinge no matter how well our team does.

    I find it all rather embarrassing.

    Good night.

  275. Frem

    Benteke might be back for the Gunners which is great. He will make life even easier in our current system. hes someone who can hold the ball, win most things in the air and get on the end of crosses.

    don’t know where Gabby and wiemann will fit in when he’s back, hopefully not on the wings. Might go 442 but then our midfield 3 of Delph, westy and Clev would be no more and I think they will do well together

  276. proxopera

    Frem,
    I was thinking about villa whilst driving home this evening and the thought occurred to me that Michu would probably suit villa better , a very decent striker with plenty of creativity, 8 mill + michu for benteke would be good business I reckon.

  277. Mark King

    frem-I’m embarrassed that anyone could think that the circus that is AV has been easy 50mil or not (a little over 16.5mil a season wow the big time, and to buy almost a squad not a team). we all get the young and cheap failed, but it served its purpose and we have vlaar benteke westwood guzan kosak plus others on the edge of the team to show for it so not a complete failure. we survived and achieved a lower wage structure when we could easily have sunk as other costlier sides have. why can you not see it was necessary and would come with some pain? where were the brave souls that wanted to take the job with a hiding to nothing?

    steamer- name me a top team that hasn’t come a cropper in the cups? we have plenty in our history, A struggling Aston villa side on the verge of bancruptcy loses to lower league teams with a usually understrength side who’d have thought it, and us with a god given right to win every game.

  278. Frem

    Prox- There both quality players in there own ways, but different types of players. I think benteke suits us better. Just needs eve better players around him to supply him and he could be something else

    Mark-Atletico won the league with a lower wage bill than us and net spend. Its about the tactics, and Lamberk has had plenty of money. If Atletico can win the league spening less than us than money isn’t a good defense for Lamberk. His tactics last season were shameful

  280. Frem

    Might be wrong, but I think Palace finished above us after spending less money than us, and having a manager for 6 months, whilst Lamberk was here for 2 years and still couldn’t finish above them

  281. r0bb0

    I’ve been no fan of Lambert right from when his name was first mooted as Villa manager but he was dealt a poor hand and even now it seems to soon to judge the job he’s doing.
    Bearing in mind he’s had less than £40m to spend over 3 seasons and had to recruit virtually a whole squad he’s done pretty well in terms of recruitment.
    The complete reversal from youth policy to ‘experienced misfits’ was hard to fathom but just maybe he deserves praise for adapting when his previous policy wasn’t working.
    How he gets the players to perform on the pitch is still up for discussion. The results from the first 4 games have been astonishingly good but tactics and (at times) style of football have been pretty good too.
    I’m some way short of being convinced, but still prepared to be.

  282. Heroes-and-Villans

    I thought when mcleish left it would take years to sort us out. Think of the squad lambert inherited and the squad we have now….

    The whole ic bullying thing made me give up on pl as he must of known and oversaw it, should never of been aloud to happen. And there in lies the big change with having keano. Professional and demading instead of ic bullying people and not preparing the players in training.

    No doubt that the villa job has been a tough one and the third year was always a big one for him…..now we have had our best start im willing to be patient. The massive thing for me is i thought we was going to go down and now i reckon we can easily get mid table.

    Really…..comparing us against at madrid!!!! I dont care one iota we are out of leaugue cup, forgotten all about it.

  283. Heroes-and-Villans

    Frem

    Tactics……..the same tactics that saw us put in one of the best away performances at the weekend. Only watching it again can you appreciate it. We switched formations during the game too!

    The way we play at vp will tell us how much we have improved. Firstly we have to start winning and certainly not be getting beat at vp all the time and secondly we need to be better on/with the ball. 4 points out of 6 is good start.

  284. Mark King

    frem
    you are missing the point, look at the players athletico have, how long did it take him to build? was he trying to cut wages and offload high earners to balance the books? did he just coach someone else’s players? was it in the prem? pullis inherited a decent side that were under performing under the former managers tactics, with a bit of steel they were good to go, no major overall.
    we had two crap seasons before that and needed a remake and absolutely had to lose the high earners. I’m talking about the whole raft of players on 35-40,000 we had in our ranks. we used cheap players on low wages + academy players we were not going to get miracles.(although Vlaar and benteke were)
    after first season in which he finally found a team we had benteke leaving then injuries and still had the bomb squad and a wage limitation that is why the third season was always going to be the most important , then lerner wanted out .

  285. Mark King

    The addition of certain players have made all the difference, full backs that defend and the best being senderos. for me he is the most important player, he organises better than Vlaar did, carries a goal threat and plays with his head (a little prone to silly trips but a least he watchs the ref) . Richardson has added some glue to the midfield and makes good runs.
    on Saturday I was relieved it was vlaar out and not senderos how mad is that?

  286. Mark King

    anyone else think we are looking like the villa team from the late nineties? with southgate as captain and Ehiogu , 17 draws in one season I think it was. get grealish in for merson and benteke back for dublin, delphs taylor 🙂

  287. Jenny Truman

    It’s a mad mad world . Vlaar became the best thing since sliced bread after his WC (surprising to me ) and the scorned Sendross has become our best defender – and Paul McGrath said as much this am . I would say that Sendross would make a great captain for us . He’s vocal, passionate and a leader .
    He was our backbone mentally and in terms of organization on Sat. Another interesting snippet of info from Paul M on Talk Sport – they played as a team because “Paul and Roy have slapped down some of the younger players who wanted to play for themselves “. That’s what was so heartening on Saturday – the team spirit that’s been missing for 2 seasons. We might not have the best players individually but playing as a strong unit like we did will enable us to beat he best of them on our day .

  288. Jenny Truman

    Mark – it could be and it’s incredible thAt they have gelled so quickly . Our defence is a million times better one commentator said and with two new players coming in that’s remarkable. These unwanted players have points to prove and their bloody proving them. Oh the satisfaction of seeing Gerard and his 60 million pound forwards being frustrated by Sishoko , Sendross and Baker . Those well known world class defenders 🙂 But if course it was because they were missing Sturridge haha . No mention of Benteke for us note !

  289. Jenny Truman

    We finished at 2-1 to go down end last season and now we are 10-4 for top ten place some 3 months later . When the pundits saw our transfers in they had us to be relegation candidates . A few free cast offs and RK and we are flying . As Frem said , is Aston Villa the midlands version of moneyball?! I’m gob smacked .

  290. Mark King

    baker got man of the match and he deserved it for the amount of interceptions and headers he made. what caused this much moaned about player to have his best game for villa? organization, he only had to worry about his part of the pitch, not the full back position or the area in front of him in midfield or even the left of midfield and he did his job. doesn’t make him a fantastic player it just made good use of his strengths. put him in a back 3 or expose him in a strung out team and you get the last two seasons, mayhem and backs to the wall stuff not steady measured defending.

    jen- there’s always an excuse, man utd won four nil against possibly the worst most unorganised team in the prem and the commentators loved it 🙂 Liverpool need saurez to make them tick Ballotelli is a gamble for them, I think it will take rodgers some time to re-adjust to his loss. they won’t beat the better organised teams if they play like saturday.

    I really like the way we took the game to them from the off, no sitting back, tiredness is a problem when you play high tempo and we naturally begin to drop back, this is where we need to keep the ball better, benteke will help with this and grealish too.

  292. Jenny Truman

    Yes Mark , Paul M picked up on that too . They all knew their jobs and this brings security and confidence for the younger players . Hopefully less hiding from the ball , aimless hoofing and headless chicken running for us now . I will tell our milkman to put a few extra pints out for Nathan Baker – he’s a local lad from a local school so delighted for him . Heart warming seeing him and Sendross celebrating the win. Again , another with a point to prove . The interviewer for Sky said before the game “are you concerned having Nathan Baker at the back” how unfair was that !! . PL replied “not at all : he knows his job”. And didn’t he just . Now to work !

  294. Mark King

    jen- I am paul mcgrath 🙂
    the confidence sendeross brings along with other older heads can’t be underestimated, can’t wait to see what this will do for Tekkers.
    you touched on something yesterday, that Lambert was to removed from the team/training ground, putting to much trust in IC, who knows what he was doing with them? he could of been disgruntled and sick of trying to get young players to do as he instructed, going through personnel probs etc RC is certainly a different creature to him and demands respect by example of achievement. whether he is a fantastic coach is up for debate but the mental toughness he has will rub off. If Lambert recruited him and I see no reason why he wouldn’t have it might prove his beat signing.

  296. John Lerwill

    Mark/Jenny,

    I’ve enjoyed the banter between you two this morning. 🙂

    Being a Monday morning and with this upbeat chat we can derive a fair idea how Villa’s performances used to affect morale in the workplace all those years ago when Villa were at the top!

  297. Mark King

    JL- It must be difficult for people who have invested a lot of time and energy in hating Lambert to see us doing this well. I personally am not focused on him but on the team, results and the club as a whole, he is just one aspect although an important one. He doesn’t help himself with his comments though, in praising ashley westwood he basically said he’s the master of passing the ball 2 metres and is worth all of the £1mil we paid for him, bizarre. I don’t think he is articulate enough to get across what he means and talks in riddles only he knows the meaning to, maybe RK is a better translator than IC 🙂

  298. Frem

    Just heard a commentator ( before we scored at Pool) say we were the only team to have more points than shots on target. 7 points with 5 shots on target. It’s now 10 points with 6 shots on target I think. Pretty amazing really

    Westwood has learned to take a set play now. Last two seasons he’s done this bull shit hoof into the box, now he’s got a bit of a whip on it. Keane factor. Little things like that make a big difference

    Jenny- Have you seen MoneyBall? I find that film fascinating. What they did was truly amazing. Maybe we can do something like that 🙂

    I like the fact how they had 40 mill plus of new talent, we had 2 free agents, a loan player and a left back the Pool fans didn’t rate. And look oh won 🙂

    See pundits keep saying Pool didn’t have Stirridge or Sterling. No mention Vlaar and the beast were out though. They keep that quiet

    The Beast is back soon which is great. Will improve us no end, just don’t know where Gabby and Wiemann will fit in because they certainly shouldn’t be moved on the wings ahead of Grealish and Zoggy

  300. Frem

    Mark- Westwood has started this season a lot better. I think a trio of Him, Delph and Cleverley will compliment each other well.

    He looks after the ball well. I remember when we had Reo playing DM. Every time he got the ball you expected him to pass straight to an Opposition player, Westwood is the complete opposite. He’s got a good long pass on him as well but know one ahead oh him is usually moving so he has knowone to hit

  303. Paul Pears

    Morning lifers

    Have read through all the thoughts and banter, but the answers are perhaps now here on the official site with a piece by Gabby….can not really believe he wrote it, but the club has put it out from him, and perhaps answers many of the questions about the team PL and RK

    Gabby Agbonlahor says added experience and a strong sense of togetherness have been the catalysts for Villa’s fast start to the season.

    Villa now have a superb 10 points from four games and lie second in the top-flight table behind big-spenders Chelsea.

    Agbonlahor is certainly not getting carried away with the competitive beginning by the claret and blues because he knows that would be foolhardy.

    But he did lift the lid on the reasons for the upturn in fortunes as he spoke to the press after the 1-0 win at Liverpool.

    He said: “I think there is more togetherness – that’s the main thing – and a bit more experience to a good group of young players.

    “It’s only four games gone. We’ve got 34 to go.

    “We don’t want to get too carried away and shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves because we are in the top three or four places at the moment.

    “It’s a 38-game season and we know we’re going to have some ups and downs this season.

    “We’ve got another really tough game against Arsenal next week.

    “But this summer the manager has brought in players who know the Premier League. They know how to play at places like this. They can take the tactics on board and do a job for you.

    “I think that’s what the gaffer was looking for – and it’s come off so far.”

    While Agbonlahor referenced the likes of Kieran Richardson, Philippe Senderos and Tom Cleverley as the players whose knowhow has been beneficial, he also paid tribute to the young lions who have been brave and courageous in keeping Villa in the top division these past two years.

    He believes they are growing in confidence and remain big players going-forward.

    He continued: “We’ve had a tough few years as a team. But the younger players have stuck together. The younger players have not thrown in the towel. They’ve kept going.

    “This season, in the first four games, I think we are reaping the benefits of it.

    “It shows how strong minded the younger players are here that they can go through the tough times we’ve had here.

    “Hopefully now we can keep enjoying our football and get results.

    “We’re looking upwards. We’re looking to improve every year.”

    It’s not just on the field where additions have been made. Paul Lambert brought in Roy Keane, too, as his new No.2.

    Agbonlahor thinks that was an inspired choice.

    He added: “I think the main thing about Roy is that if he tells you something you have got to listen.

    “It’s about what he has done in the game. And when you have done what he has – and played at the top for so long – you have to agree with what he says.

    “I think it’s paying off and I think the young players in the side see Roy Keane and they are going to listen.

    “He’s perfect for the club and I think we needed someone like that.”

  304. Frem

    Mark- Away from home I think we will do fine. We can just get body’s behind the ball and counter and take our 1 shot on target, and stick it in the back of the net

    Home still worries me because we can’t sit back and I’m not sure we have he quality of players to break through organised sides. Grealish had to start games at VP. Newcastle and Orient performers were the same old crap of last seasons home ability. It was clueless

    Arsenal we all know how we will set up, we will set up the same against Chelsea Everton and Spurs as well but that’s ok. Just hope none of them tonk us because then the belief in the system we are playing will be gone. It’s when Stoke, Palace, Burnley etc come to VP is when it will show if Lamberk has learnt anything. Fulham, Stoke, Palace, West ham etc, they all beat us at Villa last season which is utterly disgraceful

  305. steamers75

    Mark
    what a crass remark to make , that it must be difficult for the people who dont like Lambert . because of the results weve had , l can tell you on saturday in the pub l was in with upto 20 other villa fans , not one of them gave the credit to Lambert , they dont see it and can only think thats its because of RKs influence , which is what most came out with , l dont think he’s a good manager as his time at sunderland and ipswich proved , could be he knows how to talk to players and not bully them like the other twats who left . and just maybe those players in the bomb squad may have had a go back at the bullies, that group of lads l was with WERE all season ticket holders , but had had enough ,
    as lv said from the start of tenure here l NEVER wanted him here as a manager and l still dont but that doesnt change the fact that l love the club and love it when they win , you seem to think that because they dont like lambert we want to see the team lose , do you think we like walking around town having the noses ,dingles ect taking the piss , on saturday it was great watching the 3 noses walk out the pub dragging their knuckles , and yesterday sitting with about 60 of our lot ,again not one put the turn around with the team down to Lambert , (one of our lot passed away) , as JL put it to another poster .”lets see in 6 months time ” ,

    Hello Jenny xx l sent an email but never put St75 sorry xx

  307. bibulus

    That seems to be how it works Droyd!
    We were good value with the bookies at the weekend as someone on here pointed out on twitter earlier in the week.
    I’m pleased with the start and pleased for PL RK and the entire team that the football gods have given them a bit of a break right now.
    Still wont get my hopes up too high but hoping for continued improvement in the football we see at home like the first half against Hull and keeping fingers crossed that we continue to get the lucky breaks that make a difference.
    Have no idea what to expect at the weekend just glad to be going to a home game on a saturday at 3pm with some points on the board.
    Life as a villa fan dont get much better than that!
    UTV!

  308. The Droyd

    Saturday will be my first visit to a game this season. Can’t wait. Don’t think we should change anything for this match as the opponents will be Arsenal.

    We did well at VP playing counter attacking football last season against the top sides, so more of the same for Saturday is required.

    The difference this season is that we have some players that can break down the crap teams that come to VP to defend. We ended up losing these games generally such was the lack of required personnel.

    Last season we literally had no-one with any ideas. Now we have N’Zogbia, Cleverley, Cole, Grealish and Richardson. They give Lambert options to adapt from the usual counter attacking style.

    Things do bode well for us this season. A top ten finish would be fantastic but those talking of top 6 need a bit of grounding!

  310. steamer

    Droyd,
    When have Villa done well under Lambert ? Lucky to escape the drop in his two seasons, equalled the worst home record in the clubs history and then beat it.
    Tell you what i find pathetic, we’re the only club in the Universe that wouldn’t sack the knob for disgracing the club.
    Frem,
    Westwood hits a good long ball…… two yards.

    Westwood for England HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa just peed meself HaHaHaHa

  311. steamer

    Mark,
    Who are these young players Lambert signed ? 21 – 24 isn’t really young is it ?

    Not slagging him but by your reckoning every time Baker plays we have to play a back 8 so he can patrol an area 2×2.

    PP,
    Lend me £20 will you, 5p on your bet the rest on beer.

  312. Mark King

    St75-you live . crass mate no way was merely saying in a round about way that people want him out whatever the cost but what do you do if the team does well? People wont change their opinion and insist its someone elses influence. While its obvious things have changed for the better there is no doubt He is still the manager, i dont think rk sits him in the corner and says ill sort this. Rk is an inspiring character but has been a poor manager so i think the truth lies in the middle somewhere. Nice to see have back even if i have to insult you to get a response

  313. bibulus

    Lambert has fallen well short of my expectation from when he arrived. However given the squad inherited, attitude of so called pros and injuries mixed with some plain bad luck there is a part of me that believes it was a miracle that we did not get relegated during the last two seasons.
    Yes lets not get carried away just hope for a better season in terms of both performance and results.
    Been impressed with Senderos and also the versatility shown by Richardson can see why fans of all his previous clubs took a liking to him for his work rate.
    Surely those who have always lumped a small mortgage on villa for a top half finish the last few seasons must be feeling pretty happy right now unless of course they forgot to do so this season……. anyone heard from Andrew P recently………

  314. Mark King

    Steamer
    On baker ptetty much and yes that is young 26-30 is prime years some mature earlier but most don’t have the nous or experiance till 26+ why did the press keep saying its the youngest ever prem team? i have played in teams with youngsters and its painful full of pace and skill but no brain usually. And their heads drop if you scuff their pink boots or mess their hair up

  316. Andrew P

    Mark, don’t tell Bibulus anything. I’ve been dodging him since he abandoned me and my boy Thomas to the mercies of the FC Groningen ultras to go on a morris dancing tour across central and southern Eurpoe. He’s a wrong un.

  317. Mark King

    Steamer
    When have we done well under lambert? Right about now best start to a prem season isn’t it? Might not and probably won’t last and you can told you so yourself into the blue yonder when and if we fall . until then credit where credits due even murderers get a second chance when there sentence is up

  326. bibulus

    We’ve made sure our next morris dancing tour wont clash with pre season 2015 & how did you know we now dance in claret & blue Mark? i was sure we had blocked your IP from our website since you ran up that £20 bill.
    Andrew P Its a blessing for Tom that he did not have to witness me on tour in Holland at such an impressionable stage of his life.
    The most enjoyable thing about beating the granny shaggers is listening to the amount of them turning on rodgers already – brilliant.
    Lets hope the Arse have a terrible week before Saturday too.

  327. runtings

    I hopefully will always gives credit were it is due and like last season credit goes to the staff and team for a very good result.

    This is lambert a top manager or not question is a no brainer for me – but then again i look for different qualitys in a manager than a lot on AVL

    The first ting is always style of play and is it progressive enough moving forward
    2nd man management including press, players and people at all levels which is a huge part of the job
    3rd skills in the market – showing sound judgement and investing the money wisely with each buy being a benifit to the club

    I do not see any of these attributes in lambert and for me he is MON without bags of cash – the kick and rush style will always lead to a dead end no matter the quality you have as per MON

    Lambert with his new found direction can hopefully take villa on – but take us too the next level i very much doult it – pls prove me wrong on that thou

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