This is going to be a highly unpopular post but I’m not one for having an opinion based on its popularity. It has been an extremely frustrating time since Christmas for Villa and especially their fans. Personally, I went to the Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Blackpool games and watched Leicester away on Livestream.
These games represented a chance for us to pick up many points against weak opposition and establish ourselves as a mid table side. We have some tough fixtures coming up now and picking up lots of points against these weaker sides was essential, so that we would be nowhere near another relegation fight.
In short, we messed it up. The manager has messed it up. There is no getting away from this. Commendably, he has changed our playing style to incorporate a lot more possession and our defence is looking really good. However I have never seen a Villa team looking so abject in the opposition half. We have played the last few matches as if we were Italians playing in 35 degree heat, not at home to rubbish Premiership opposition in January. Lambert has chosen precisely the WRONG time to change our playing style. Perhaps this change of style should have occurred against teams that we would be the underdog against, such as that 6 match straight losing run earlier in the season. I know this is easy to say in hindsight but it was essential to pick up a lot of points in these games. It was not the time to experiment with our playing style. 2 points from Sunderland at home, Crystal Palace at home and Leicester away is a disaster. Far worse than the run of 6 straight defeats against much better opposition. I could not have more contempt for our team and manager over the past couple of weeks.
However…
This crap is very fixable. A sound defensive base and good ball retention in midfield is a great base to start from. We haven’t had this since the O’Neill days, when hundreds of millions were being lavished on the squad. Even then, OK, the defence was good but we were in essence a counter attacking team with less than 50% possession generally.
What we need now is quicker ball to the forward players and better movement from these forward players. I think the forwards are getting disheartened about a lack of service and losing their confidence. Quicker tempo is required. Not kick and rush, we are now a passing side but the tempo has to be quicker. We can sacrifice some possession for quicker ball but we don’t want to be getting back to the days of 30-40% possession, especially at home. It’s all about balance, which currently is badly wrong.
Lambert needs to appoint an Assistant Manager quickly and he needs to sign 2 players that can unlock defences. One needs to be a dynamic box to box midfielder that has goals in him (the optimistic fans hoped Cleverley might be this), the other needs to be a creative attacking midfield type. The midfield trio of Westwood, Sanchez and Cleverley are too samey. All good players but too similar to be playing together. They all keep it simple really well, passing it sideways a la Petrov. However, we all know that a midfield needs to be balanced. A midfield trio, ideally should contain an energetic box to box type, that has a goal in them (think Townsend, Platt, Milner or Taylor), also a good simple passer, not just sideways but forwards too (think Cowans, Barry, Parker, Draper or at a stretch of the imagination – Petrov). The third midfielder of the three should be creative and ideally have pace, trickery and energy (think Merson or Carbone but especially Merson). Hopefully this illustrates how badly balanced our midfield is and how lacking it is in quality compared to some of those names I have dropped there.
The fall guy is obviously Cleverley. He is playing the more advanced role of the 3 but all he contributes is passing it sideways or backwards. No doubt he is doing brilliantly if you are one of these statistic mongs that understands nothing about football. Let’s disregard these fools and recognise that 3 sideways passers might get us 60-70% of possession in a game but ultimately, it is going to lead to dismal failure. I’m very happy for Cleverley to stay on loan until the end of the season as back up for Westwood or Sanchez but as an attacking midfielder, he simply doesn’t cut the mustard. I hope we don’t sign him permanently. We have Grealish, N’Zogbia and Cole that can play in this position but they don’t offer any more than Cleverley in reality. N’Zogbia, we know has loads of ability, can create and score amazing goals. How many times have we seen it in a Villa shirt? Once? Maybe twice? Not good enough. In addition he is overweight and looks disinterested. We need to get rid of him at the earliest opportunity. Grealish, we think may have the ability but he hasn’t proven this yet in any way shape or form at the level we need him to. He had his chance at home to the abject bottom of the table Blackpool and was atrocious. A loan spell in the Championship beckons. I suspect he will end up like Nathan Delfouneso, barely good enough for the division below. Delfouneso by the way outperformed Grealish at Villa Park on the 4th of January.
This brings us onto Joe Cole. Yes he has some ability left but looks significantly slowed down by age and injury woes. He is hardly ever fit and has struggled against Blackpool and Leicester. Better than the 37 year old Pires that the ridiculous Houllier signed but best left on the bench if we can.
Which means we need a quality signing in this position. Carles Gil from Valencia should strengthen us. There looks like there are legs in this transfer story. I am hopeful this will help us out immensely. Scott Sinclair is an interesting potential signing too. This guy is ideal for a 4-3-3, has pace, can cross and has a goal in him. Providing Lambert is satisfied that this guy has the hunger to succeed, then he can fulfil the role that Gabby and Weimann are currently not. These two have been abject for the last month and look completely stale. Fresh blood for the same sort of role is essential. I think these two players are sound transfer targets.
Many say that Lambert is clueless tactically. I don’t buy this. Like all managers he makes mistakes and like all managers he makes some subs that I don’t agree with. I think he needs an assistant manager and some tinkering to the attacking side of things as outlined in this post. I see no value in terminating the contract of a guy that has recently signed a 4 year deal unless there are big gains to be had. Let’s explore the optimistic potential of getting rid of him now in January 2015. We could see an upturn in form but realistically the best we can possibly finish with this squad at this stage of the season is mid table. How does this massively benefit the club? Mid table in exchange for paying a guy 4 years of £3 million a year? Seems silly to me.
Even if he is replaced by someone that turns out to be brilliant, what’s the best they are going to achieve with the money Randy Lerner provides these days? Better than mid-table? Really? I’m not convinced. A new manager will want his own players to fit into his own style, so there is a huge cost in offloading the outcasts (as seen by chopping and changing managers and therefore players post O’Neill). Lerner is smart enough to realise that when he is trying to offload the club, these sort of costs just simply aren’t an option. Better to stick with a manager that we won’t get relegated under rather than to invest significantly more money to finish maybe 5 places higher.
I have explained the upside of getting rid of Lambert. Achieving mid-table. The downside? We could end up with a really dreadful appointment. A manager that could relegate us. Do you think we are currently an attractive proposition for a good manager? Do you trust Lerner to make a good appointment? Lambert is about the best one he has made. O’Neill was an Ellis appointment, Houllier and McLeish were costly disasters. We could conceivably get relegated and that is the worst possible outcome. For the costs involved, I simply don’t see the value in sacking him.
I fully understand why most Villa fans want Lambert gone. After all I am a season ticket holder and have to watch this turgid garbage week after week too. It’s easy to blame the manager and ultimately he is responsible for the poor results. I am fully aware of the dreadful record he has statistically, especially at Villa Park. Unfortunately as pitiful as it sounds as a fan of our great club, the best we can hope for with this owner is a mid-table finish. Despite all the crap we have to watch, we are not a million miles away from having a team that can achieve that. I have explained that with a couple of signings to freshen it up we can get to that goal without spending the money required to bring in a new manager.
Everything at Villa Park is going to range from dreadful to meh until we have new owners. It is a depressing reality.
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The Droyd
Trinity Road stalwart. Season ticket holder. 30 something father of 4. Manufacturer.Comments 192
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Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the title. Thought” ner, it’s doesn’t say that”
Many say Lamberk is at tactically clueless because he is. You don’t lose 12 home games in one season, you don’t lose 4-1 to Stoke at a Home, you don’t have a season where we scored the least amount of goals since we were in the prem, you don’t score 11 goals in 21 games, you don’t lose 6 In a row, you don’t go 9 in a row without winning, you don’t don’t then go another 6 in a row without winning, you dont go hours and hours and hours and hours on a regular basis without scoring unless your manager is diabolical. Ours is. Worst manager in our history no doubt.
I do agree about the midfield balance though. I said on Twitter before the game Sanchez and Westwood shouldn’t play together. They did and they were awful
Wingers is what we need. Gill still isn’t that though. We need a Bolasi or someone. And the 433 has been awful bar about 7 games. It’s his regular formation with his favourites ( Shabby and Wiemann)
I wonder how he will fit in Wiemann shabby Benteke Delph Clev Westy and Sanchez against Pool because make no mistake about if, he will want to play all of those
Evening
This is going to make for good reading over the next few days – thank you AVL again for giving such a good outlet for the fans.
Until the last three maybe four matches i would have agreed with you Droyd. Now i just cant see where we can go under Lambert. Much as i want to lay all the blame for our current predicament on Guzan it seems clear now that Lambert is to football management what Bernard Madoff was to finance.
Clearly my own drinking habits had allowed me to dull some of the pain inflicted by Lambert over the last two years and delude myself that he has suffered more than his fair share of bad luck.
Now i feel so convinced that we are doomed to relegation if we dont change manager i will state on here that if we stay up under Lambert i will wear an AVFC goal keeper shirt with Guzan on the back for the first home match of next season.
Not to say i dont admire your sentiment or that you didn’t make sense with your article.
UTV!
the droyd you are a complete and utter fool only have to read the headline do not sack lambert to know you need to be in broadmoor mate sorry but you could not be farther from the truth the guy is a complete fool he has lost the dressing room the team are not fit he only played his muppets week in week out the best footballer at the club in jack gets shelved by a lying cheat and you want to keep him sorry mate you have lost and credibility you might have had with this completely stupid statement watch this link from an ex player about the buffon you stick up for http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9642739/hendrie-time-for-a-change
droyd i still cannot believe you as a season ticket holder are so clueless he manager is the worst in all living memory i would swap any ex manager for this clown including dr vengloss i just cannot believe how stupid you sound we need to go for the jugular now looks like the smoke screen has worked on one happy clapper ah droyd
Reasons why he should go:
1) We don’t score goals
2) His player selection is piss poor
3) His substitutions when if ever they happen are dire
4) We do not entertain in any way, shape or form
5) He’s not getting enough/anything out of many of the players at his disposal; Grealish, Insomnia (really wish we could get rid of this clown by the way), Gabby, Weimann, Bacuna (who has a great engine and scored some big goals last year), Lowton and most of all Benteke as we don’t even get the big man the ball which is disgraceful!!!
UTV
Lambert OUT!
Droyd
Well thought out and well written.However I disagree,he must go,or rather he should have gone 8 weeks ago.The new coach could have had Palace and Blunderland at home,plus a Jan window to exploit.
It would appear Lerner still wants him as we are signing the Spaniard.So being pedantic ,he should have gone,but it is too late now,the damage is done.He will stay and erode the remaining confidence,hope and enthusiasm left in the fanbase.of there is any.
the thing is against the better teams we have space to exploit, and to counter into
which is what our forwards love and are good at
against leicester the first half we had a few bits of play which nearly led to chances (woop de do)
because we had space,,
the goal changed everything,,, and leicester sat deep,,, game over
but we could have conceded 6 with 65% possession,,, so something went very wrong tactically
as we have never been that poor all season,, and,,, clarke had a stormer
against the poor teams we have never been any good and this new system just makes it worse
if we were 1 nil up with 10 mins to go,,, great,,,
but it totally stops our forwards playing
the worrying thing is this has been happening since lambert took over
what we should have done is sat deep and hit them on the break, it would have been dull but the emphasis was on them to score,,, as we played right into their hands
we probably will do ok against pool,, if we sit back,, but anymore of this excessive ball holding in midfield
and we will get caught and punished,, pool can play counter very well
to me lambert must go, he is inept, stubborn, blind, and dull,, just like his tactics
but we are stuck with him, he may keep us up but unless he stumbles on a formation we are f**king doomed
Before signing off, aware that we most likely are stuck with Lamberk and will probably scrape by again then have to put up with 3 more uber dull seasons of this twit unless a miracle happens and Lerner sells up, I would like to sincerely commend Clarke. Not only did he play superbly yesterday, he has come out of nowhere to almost single-handedly keep us above the relegation line. At the start of the season he was 5th on the centre half depth chart and the way he’s playing right now he’s our bloody MVP. He’s played with more effort, heart and desire in his little left toe than twats like Insomnia have in their entire body. Well done son, keep it up! UTV
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fans-blog-open-8432280
Thanks for the comments guys. I understand your frustrations as I share them.
John Doyle – I’m not sure where to begin…
Maybe before insulting someone else’s intelligence, you might want to learn how to spell and to punctuate. My 6 year old daughter can do better.
The term you are looking for, without any sense of irony is buffoon. Buffon is an Italian goalkeeper. Thank you for the belly laughs though.
Press conference at Villa tomorrow ?
Maybe p, just maybe it’s the end.
Buffon is a bloody good keeper
God Bless Ya Droyd your obviously a very nice man that a stranger is just a friend that you haven’t met.
But in the football world Lambert has been predictable useless clueless & totally out of his depth.
His statement today in the mail clarifies that. He is stating that our expectations are too high that must mean that he see’s us as a championship side if that is the case.
The fact that he has 3 similiar midfielders (defensive) says it all.
No creativity and as for his wingbacks after numerous attempts is beyond a joke.
The worst football I personally have ever witnessed. I personally was relieved when he replaced McLeish but if look at his recent formations its more defensive than what the ginger one put out at Tottenham away that memorable evening.
Cant continue much more I cant stand typing but anyone that thinks that Gabby, Cleverley, Cole, Senderos, Richardson, Wiemann, Hutton, Nzogbia & Westwood are good enough for Villa needs Help. Never mind all them failures he signed now on loan cup exits etc
Words fail me you cant reward failure.
Steamer – he is the most adorable thing I have ever seen (St 75 excepting of course :-))
He has cried every night -but I think he is missing us not his Mom as he literally follows me around everywhere. He is the most affectionate darling dog and the girls decided on calling him Ted or Teddy as he looks like a Teddy Bear. Hard work but so glad I caved in and got him as I swore never to have another dog after the last one.
Frem
I`m guessing that the PC is to introduce Gil,but………….we live in hope.
can i start by saying thats a fantist post droyd and you made your case very well indeed
i have never been one not to give a manager or player time to settle and show why they are at villa , i supported lambert fully over hs first almost two years
The penny dropped with me after that time that he is the wrong man for the club when i realised he both isnt getting the best out of what he has or man managing the club in a way that is right
we are under achieving with what we have imo – and it has now come to the point were we have little hope of victory over any opposition — the current run confirms that
The way lambert sets up the teams worries me greatly as with no width with our shape apart from 2 fullbacks it is going to be very difficult to create enough chances — even with gil and another player the shape of the team isnt going to help our cause imo
fantastic post –
Not that unpopular Droyd – I’m with you.
I won’t deny Frem’s rap sheet of bad results but I do think it’s absolutely mental to assume getting a new manager DEFINITELY means getting more out of our players in what is an increasingly competitive league.
I don’t love Lambert and I don’t rate him very highly but I’m not frothing at the mouth to have him replaced without knowing who we’d get.
We’ve already replaced our manager (McLeish) for someone many of us thought was a much better alternative (Lambert). We sang Lambert’s name when we were beaten there a few seasons ago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17973120
Those of you who are so sure we need to replace Lambert – can you even acknowledge the possibility that you’ll be looking to bin him in two seasons’ time when we still struggle?
Don’t get me wrong (although I know some of you will – on purpose) – I hate the bad results and I don’t see Lambert ever changing an individual game for the better but I do see gradual and painfully slow improvement in him playing the cards he’s been dealt.
I much prefer they possession based approach we’re working on now. One of the stupidest things I continually read was that our young players would progress with having had a season or two under their belts. This is excrement – we never had the ball and nothing but a counter attacking plan with no plan b, so players learned nothing but chasing the ball.
Now we’re working on passing, holding on to it but our shitty forward players haven’t quite learned to do the running to make forward passing more successful (Benteke aside but his positioning is still a work in progress). I think it’ll happen and I think / hope we’ll finish 12th.
I’m not happy clappy or massively optimistic but I am not deluded by these simple answers that fill the blogs day in and day out:
“Sack the manager and give us magical Michael Laudrup who’ll somehow make Weimann look up and pass”
“Randy out!! So he can crystallise millions in losses as there’s scores of mythical oil barons ready to tool along to plunge another fortune into disgracefully over priced players so we can move up six places in the table”
“I”m ‘Villa til I die’ but I’m not spending any money or showing up in this lean period I might boo like a bollocks if I do show up but I’m happy to expect Randy Lerner to lose all of his money – if he had any ‘honour’ he’d give the club away”
It’s time to pile in with the real, thought out criticism of Lambert and the players [I can’t believe people haven’t slated Joe Cole for that last performance by the way – useless!!] and finish with all the shouting the same shite “Lambert out! Randy out!! Bella the Lion out!!! blah blah blah” 10 times per day.
Hello Droyd, welcome back.
I must say there is some merit in your comments about the lack of balance in the MF, although i disagree strongly about Grealish, you state what is lacking, well Grealish can supply those missing ingredients but only if he actually gets on the pitch and Lambert obviously has a personal grudge against the lad.
Regarding Lambert, no-one as bad as he is in his job deserves to keep it, he fails in every department with the added minus of being a lying bastard as well, the bloke is a pathetic excuse of a manager but he knows which side his bread is buttered, sacked by Livingstone yet ripping AVFC off for millions, how does he do it ?
Answers on a postcard addressed to Lerner if anyone knows where he is.
John Doyle – no need for calling people stupid.
It’s not what we do here mate.
Jen,
Terrible when you lose one but they soon worm their way into your lives, he’ll soon settle down and leave you little parcels to let you know he’s at home.
Wow. Someone that agrees with me. We can’t have this.
Hi Steamer
Grealish may come good but he doesn’t look anywhere near ready yet. I think a loan spell in the Championship would benefit him and the club.
I will try to pronunciate and spell this as correctly as possible this article is the biggest pile of shite since AVL was born, it will do as much damage as Lerner and his idiotic manager.
I am stunned that Matt has allowed such a crock of shit after his resignation yesterday that he may not renew next season.
Here is a stat that sums up the laughing stock we have become, Bournemouth have scored more goals in Birmingham this season than Aston Villa.
Anyone that shows any type of support for Lambert is not a true Villa fan if you are able to accept what has happened over the last three seasons you are either clinically ill or have extreme low standards. We have become an embarrassment and a laughing stock in the football world and Lerner and Lambert are totally to blame along with any supporter who condone such inadequate management.
Droyd if i had to be honest i never had much respect for your opinions and now that is zero, you are willing to stand by and watch these people take us into the championship and accept Lambert should keep his job.
In my opinion you are wrong on every level and I also believe that this article will damage the AVL site beyond repair, i have always thought this site has the best selection of Villa fans with excellent views but mainly because they all want the best for their club, this article is a stain on the respect we have gained.
A sad day for AVL and a sad day for AVFC.
AVFC AVL RIP
Good post Tony.
Frem,
If thats Gianluigi Buffon your talking about i would say he’s the best of all time, saw him make his Parma debut at 17 at the San Siro vs Milan who were the best team in the world, he was magnificent. once scored over 200 goals in a season as a centre forward thats 60 seasons worth for Scraggy.
i have been patient with pl, i always said id give him till the 3rd year to judge him. And in this third year there is no way i can back the man.
Things are getting more negative on and off the pitch. Its just not working and i have no hope its going to get better.
I agree though that until learner sells it doesnt matter who is in charge, we are in the shit
Blimey Droyd you’ve really stirred it up, have you got a tin helmet handy.
Too true Andrew, iv’e tried to work out what Lerners all about, the word that keeps coming to me is ….KNOB.
If Grealiah doesn’t look ready and needs a loan, then that counts for about 50% of our squad.
Tony- Lamberk has got nothing from our players in almost 3 seasons so why keep hanging on and hoping it will change ? What’s the point in keeping a man who all but guarantee dire results and records? I know changing a manager doesn’t guarantee we will improve, but I’d be amazed if anyone couldn’t do better. In fact, it’s impossible to do worse than what Lamberks done. No other human being will ever lose 12 home games or just score 11 goals in 21 games. The only guy who will do worse than that is Lamberk him self. He’s seen QPR HAVE BROKEN the away record for 10 straight defeats. I have good inside info that that is Lamberks target next season, to lose 10 or more away games in a row. He’s done the home record, might as well go for the away record
We are dying. We could just lie there and take it and that’s what we will do with keeping Lamberk. He will kill this football club. Or, like Marcus Luttrell, when he realised he was close to death, even with bullet wounds and a broken back, he crawled 7 miles to safety. Did he know that he would definitely survive by crawling ? No. But he gave him self a fighting chance and it paid of. Do we know that a new manager will defo change things ? No. But let’s give our selfs are a chance because at the min we have no manager, we have no leader and our players don’t give a feck
Droyd
I`ve since read your piece again.You state(not word for word,excuse me)”All managers make mistakes” wgen discussing tactics and subs.True they all make errors,but Lambert is a serial offender in terms of his use or lack of use of subs.I acknowledge he has a weak bench to choose from,but after 2 and a half years he should have a better squad and bench.I was a supporter of the manager and he did well in his first season to keep us up,with a team that included,Banann,Lichal,and Holman.
The last straw or straws for me were Holt,and the failure to buy a CB when sicknote Vlaar was missing,and we had Clark Baker as our 1st choice.
A valiant effort Droyd ,but Lambert has lost it.I don`t hate him,but believe that he doesn`t know how to get the best out of the players that he has.Ironically ,it is too late now,to get a new man in.Lerner would dither and not appoint until late Feb,I have no faith in him to deliver a competent man.Therefore we are stuck with PL,not because he is a good amnager,but because it is too late for change ,and who would take the post?
Pool want Delph this month then. Wonder if he will play on Monday
hello droyd hope your back for good its nice to have a little spice, thanks for a well thought out article.
I myself fear what the great Lerner would bring next to the villa hot seat, he couldn’t pick his arse.
that said Lambert deserves to go, the three season attempt at using mostly inadequate wing back play is enough for me. he knows we struggle to break defences yet we have no width to stretch and pull them about. we lack a midfield general although sanchez is the closest we have and is getting better, I see only midfield quarter masters tidying up. we have needed a creative midfielder for three seasons yet he rarely plays the little talent we have.
Tony h hit the nail on the head, our forwards are only good when they have half a field to run into. Benteke, possibly the strongest player in the air in the league gets no service from the flanks in open play, only from free kicks and corners when there are 2 players on him.
The defence has much improved and I like Okore and Clarke but I still would like to see senderos back in for his organisation and aerial threat at corners, he for me is a big loss maybe our biggest. a trio of Clarke senderos and benteke at corners would be a nightmare for defences. its no surprise we have rarely threatened from free kick situations since he been out his movement is superb.
once again chap welcome back.
U21s lost in the cup tonight,I haven`t checked the team,I`m guessing it was a young side 18 s and 19s.
U18s did well though 6 nil at Norwich
mark who can take a corner or free kick westwood is useless and thats who has the job down to him being Lamberts lovechild
sign petition and send it to every body you know to sign on face book we will have 50k by end of week as i said no body
thought the berlin wall would fall but if the people want it it will happen
mr lambert “you can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”
these classic words were simply meant for you good old Abraham Lincoln a yank who had style not like lerner
whats going on tonight
good piece in themail the letter
droyd are you back to get comments up
lambert is the biggest excuse manager ever our wage bill has went up 4 million in 2 years under him
what is about 10 his players out on loan
grealish was poor against blackpool where you not watching rest in his cameo roles he has created more chances than cleverly zog delph westwood cole gabby wiemen put together
take hull out equation wieman one goal calender year keeps playing him
where do you stop writing about all his mistakes bad buys men all around him leaving faulkner head of media youth coach culverhouse karso keane
At the end of the day Randy is stripping the club back to it’s bare bones , pl is the willing front man
there is no pressure from above to achieve and if we stay up on the last day it’s job done for randy and co
it was the same at cleaveland browns —- until the day randy leave’s there is little hope for the club
but this season we will sail very close to the wind and anyone that is confident we will stay up are not taking head of how bad we have become compared to the strugglers within 3 points of us
heed soz
Hi Droyd,
Welcome back and an excellent, well written and thought out article. I am like Runtings and one or two others in my feelings that Lambert has not got the best out of what he has got, or achieved a style that suits the players he has. He has virtually had his time, and I am concerned about where Villa are headed, and become immune at VP in recent matches that I did attend. The main reason for me calling for him to go, is that I do feel there are very good and promising managers out there who could make more of the players that we have, and would have fought harder with Lerner to land players that PL wanted, like Cresswell from Ipswich, who ended up at West Ham, and Cissoko, who ended up at the Toons. Both of these players cost very little, but would have made a huge difference to the present team. He could I amsure made far better use of Bent during Benteke’s absence, and also given him a proper run up front with him when he returned. His determination to keep Gabby and Weimann in the side has been very similar to big Ron, when he kept Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson in the side which cost us the very first Premiership title. A spell in the reserves would have been good for both, giving them a chance to discover their shooting boots in easier situations. For some reason it does not seem to happen at Villa.
Maybe with the signing of Gil, that Lerner is listening more, and maybe we will land Sinclair for £2.5million rather than the £4million that City are asking. If these things happen, perhaps things will improve, but I am still very sceptical. Have not made up my mind about Saturday yet. Did not see enough of Saturday’s match to make a decision on how well Grealish performed, but most reports on him were not good.
Gil signing to be announced at Press conference at 1.00pm today.
SWV – the feeling is mutual. You are an incredibly negative individual. I am yet to see anything you have ever written that is worth reading. I doubt you even go to the matches.
I think you overestimate my ability to damage this website. Something I would never intentionally do, having been been here right from it’s inception. Anyone that reads articles and comments here will know my opinion is in the minority and is just the opinion of one person. I respect the opposing view as we are dreadful to watch but I think you are being a tad melodramatic.
Glad we have Gil, will be an immense improvement on Gabby and Wiemann playing around Benteke. Not sure it needs a press conference though. I think that’s a hint of desperation from the club to try and make things look a bit better
I hope the conference is Lamberk admitting he’s failed as our manager / or he’s going but it won’t be that
the self confessed troll is back ……………….. give lambert a chance , jesus fuck
SWV – “anyone who doesn’t want Lambert to go isn’t a true Villa van”???
Dude – you’re taking the piss and I’m not rising to that daftness.
Frem – I agree Lambert has not been brilliant but it’s wrong to say he’s got nothing from the team.
He has got inconsistent performances from players bought for a pittance. Some worked out for a while and some never worked out at all.
tony h
no manager should be signing almost 30 players in 2/3 years and still be playing 5/6 that already there
wage bill gone up under him
gabby wiemen 1 goal each in 17/18 matches yet first choice
cleverly came here we top4 won 2 matches with him in side no goals no assists
brasil- the U21 team had robinson, grealish and burke
JD- when Westwood was out we had no-one so he’s the best I’ve seen from a dead ball but not by much, its funny we threatened form corners early games this season and don’t so much now.
james gill- our turnover has gone up with tv money in the last 2 years and allowed for a slight wage increase even with bent, given etc eating up the money so not really a prob
paul p- grealish didn’t play sat against Leicester
interesting haven’t seen this article which shows our losses over 4 years up to 2012-13
http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/business-news/accounts-reveal-aston-villa-made-6779956
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2907842/Aston-Villa-mixing-Bayern-Munich-Real-Madrid-right-Paul-Lambert-s-useless.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
JD- at least this bloke can cross a ball
7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/1/13/7532573/who-is-carles-gil-new-Astoer-Vn-Villa-transfalencia
Droyd,
That’s fine we know where we stand then, in answer to your comments I am not normally a negative person but I fall into depression every time I read about the Villa, I spent the best part of 30 years following this club home and away but that does not give me the right to be fan of the year but I think it qualifies me to make a comment about the club.
Yes I remember you when the site started up and to be honest you flit in and out whenever it suits which is fine by me, but I find the headline for this article a bit too sensationalist for this site probably more akin to something Dugdale would write to provoke the masses along with a cartoon effigy, something I hoped we would never stoop to.
AVL for me was one of the last bastions of true class to be attached to Aston Villa, our club and team have become a standing joke in the football community since Lerner lost interest, friends of mine down here actually call my club Aston Nilla, so in summary the damage our club has suffered under Lerner and Lambert may well be beyond repair, I am just hoping this site does not suffer in the same way.
I am all for differing opinions but to write an article to provoke and rack up comments is in my view at a time when the club is getting to an all time low slightly irresponsible, but not my call as you say I don”t go to the games so my opinion is worthless.
AVFC RIP
Droyd,
Your article is well reasoned and well presented, but I cannot go with it.
As B6 said, “Lambert is a serial offender”, and the on-going fact is that his approach is making a laughing stock out of what was once a great club. Apart from the late 60s, I’ve never known quite such a poor period in Villa’s history. … And the lamentable excuses he trots out and his false optimism just causes me to switch off.
As for Gil? Well, as I’ve said, I cannot see how a young player who has spent 2 years playing for (apparently) a poor side on loan can suddenly make the difference that Villa need right now. He might cut it given time, but we surely need an able player *right now* not in 12 months time, when he’s adjusted to the Prem.
The futures of first team squad members Brad Jones, Jon Flanagan, Glen Johnson and Kolo Toure are also up in the air with the quartet, like Gerrard and Suso, in the final six months of their current contracts.
How Liverpool have let so many players get into such a position, without agreeing new deals or selling sooner to ensure a transfer fee, is a discussion for another day but at least they’re not the only ones facing the prospect of losing important players for nothing.
just read this in a delph link, seems we are not the only ones letting players contracts run down. must be a common link maybe FFP
“The futures of first team squad members Brad Jones, Jon Flanagan, Glen Johnson and Kolo Toure are also up in the air with the quartet, like Gerrard and Suso, in the final six months of their current contracts.
How Liverpool have let so many players get into such a position, without agreeing new deals or selling sooner to ensure a transfer fee, is a discussion for another day but at least they’re not the only ones facing the prospect of losing important players for nothing.
A host of quality operators from around Europe, including Winston Reid, Sami Khedira, Nigel De Jong, James Milner, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Luiz Adriano, are free to discuss bumper Bosman moves to foreign clubs this month.”
oops soz a bit of double pasting 🙂
Tony H,
Yes I apologise for that comment which was probably made more in anger when I should have given it more thought, but I think you can see where I was coming from, the football served up under this manager is bordering on disgraceful, we has supporters expect the owners of our club to employ a manager for our team that can at best get some results or even play a modicum of football style, Lambert has achieved nothing in my book except to keep a once great club in the premier with a style of play that has seen thousands upon thousands walk away from the club.
I cannot think of another club in our league or in any league for that matter that would have kept Lambert in his job considering the amount of bad records he has broken, add to that the awful decisions he has made in regards to certain players I still find it incredulous that this man is still in a job, it has become one of lifes miracles, in fact Lambert must consider himself to be the luckiest manager alive to be still being paid very good money for failing to do his job, but if by avoiding relegation season after season is called success then come 2016 Villa Park will be empty week in and week out.
AVFC RIP
Thats the baffling part about the situation, HOW has he kept his job with that record ? Whatever wat you look at his tenure it’s been a disaster, can anyone name a manager who’s kept his job, in any league worldwide, pro or amateur, while been so obviously crepe at his job ? Even to a stupid, prick like Lerner te penny should have dropped after the 8-0 but no, more disasters followed piling humiliation upon humiliation on the club. There’s only so much that people will take before they lose control, i can see someone running on to the pitch and battering Lambert before long, such is the hatred for the twat.
JL- what’s worrying about Gil is he might be considered a long term investment. if so no-one at villa park actually sees the position we are in as a problem. if the Sinclair rumour comes to fruition I think he and gil will be playing on the wings for us and not gil centre mid which I would be less worried about.
steamer- I believe Lerner having little football knowledge keeps Lambert there. Lerner understands the monetary constrictions on Lambert and co-relates it to Mons time where more money meant better team. Not having the nous to find a manager who may have achieved the same aim with more style and less hassle he see’s no alternative.
Apparently we have FA Cup fever in B6.
poss new team?
guzan
hutton senderos/okore clarke sissoko
gil sanchez westwood sinclair
cole/ weimann
benteke
A well written article Droyd, as it inevitably would be as you’re an articulate man. I strongly disagree with your headline conclusion, but I won’t bother to list the reasons as you have made it clear you are fully aware of the opposing point of view. I agree with John – we are a laughing stock.
I’ll limit myself to a brief comment on facts and statistics, which might not tell the whole story depending on how you want to slant that story, but are nonetheless there for all to see. Wins, defeats, total points, league position, goals scored and conceded. Aside from a recent improvement in goals conceded, which coincides with Okore and Clark forming a partnership – a last resort due to injury rather than selection – there is no trend of improvement. The known facts do not present a case for Lambert to stay.
what do you think of letter in mail from tvb moms vf looks good hope sky media will pick uo on it and stop defending lambert he cant manage never could
OK. I’ll try to explain why Lambert is the apple of Lerner’s eye and therefore why has not only kept his job but won a 4 year deal.
Forget the dreadful football we have to endure, Randy Lerner does not. He does not come to games to watch us. He had pretty much stopped attending VP at the end of the O’Neill era. His dream when buying the club was for us to qualify for the Champions League. He gave O’Neill the tools to do it. for 3 seasons in a row, we fell just short. By giving O’Neill the tools to succeed, he gambled and lost.
Having lost this gamble and not being prepared to keep this level of spending up, he gave up on his dream. His next aim was to make Villa self sufficient. He can’t even manage this, so he is trying to ditch the club for as much as he can get. So he will spend the bare minimum ensuring we don’t get relegated. He doesn’t really care that much whether we finish 7th or 17th as long as he gets his TV money.
My view is that Lambert has done exactly what his boss has told him to do. He is trying to do the best he can with the tools he is given and has kept us in the league whilst massively reducing the wage bill. Lerner is clearly delighted with this and has even afforded Lambert the chance to buy some players with experience rather than Championship or League 1 youngsters/cheap foreign nowhere near good enough types.
With the squad we have, we should now be mid table. We aren’t quite where we should be but not a million miles away.
Lerner is happy with this. We are not. It’s dreadful, no painful to watch. Hopefully I’ve demonstrated how our expectations are totally different to Lerner’s.
Sacking Lambert and getting someone else won’t make much of a positive (if at all) difference to our fortunes. It’s all about how much you can spend on your team. Mid table is about our ceiling on current spending levels regardless of who the manager is.
I’ll add to that that Lambert and Lerner clearly have a great working relationship. I know someone that has had a lot of meetings with Lerner and he tells me that he is a very strange and difficult man that just likes to talk but not listen.
Lerner has had poor working relationships with some of our managers. Clearly he has a great working relationship with Lambert as Lambert follows his instructions.
Some might say a yes man but as someone that manages a lot of people, I can see the value of someone that carries my plans through.
Droyd – A good summary of Lerner and his attitude, also summed up in an article yesterday: “Lerner doesn’t care and he wouldn’t know what to do if he did.”
Maybe Lerner thinks he’ll spend the bare minimum to ensure we don’t get relegated, but it is a not an exact science. His leaving statement referred to stopping pushing his luck, but he continues to do just that.
steamer- on albrighton, he was on £15000 a week at villa and is now getting £35K at Leicester. chances are villa didn’t want to pay him that. Its possible that if the likes of given and bent had been sold, plus our many other non squad, squad players he’d probably still be here.
SWV – Yes I have had long periods of not being on here. Largely because I have to read the same old tired crap from various people. People repeating themselves isn’t a great read funnily enough.
I have quite enjoyed this thread though, so I may be back more regularly. Nice to catch up with a few old faces and some new ones too.
Happy New Year and hope you are all well.
Droyd,
Sorry to be rude, but I think we’re well aware of Lerner’s m.o. and the relationship he has with Lambert etc . etc
That’s why I added in answer to Matt’s post yesterday that a qualification for being the Villa manager was that he mustn’t answer back (to the chairman).
But you cannot keep the fans on your side by letting 3 years of this sort of non-performance go without sanction. We know he’s carrying out a strategy devised by his boss, but he’s not carrying out his duties anywhere near well enough to keep the spirits of the fans up.
Just how many more bad records do you ant him to break? Do you want me to list them all?
What disappoints me most about Droyd’s thread is the very acceptance of Lerner’s ownership of the club and that therefore he is able to do what he pleases and ignore the fans’ dissatisfaction. Whatever his strategy right now Lerner is causing harm by his non-communication with the fans. We don’t even know whether the club is really for sale any longer.
I come back again to the fact that a football club was once what it said on the tin … a *club*. That is that whatever went on in the club was by consensus within and without – the management and the fans. To a large extent that notion continued at Villa up to recent years until the latter days of Doug and then the current owner who has called himself a “steward”. If he is such a steward of this entity called Aston Villa then he would know that entails running it to the best of his ability for the sake of the people who invest much time and energy into the success of the club – the fans.
To me the bleat about his stewardship was as much a chimera as his slogan of “a bright future”.
Meant to say “… who invest much time and money into the success of the club.”
John – You are not being rude. I apologise as I haven’t read Matt’s article or the thread of comments, so was unaware of your post. I also apologise to any of you that I have previously been rude to. In the past, when I spent too much time on here, I got very frustrated reading the same old stuff and probably overstepped the mark on a couple of occasions with some scathing comments. So if I upset anyone – I apologise.
The records don’t bother me. If we were in the relegation zone then I would probably want the manager gone too, that’s what matters – the position in the table. The records are neither here nor there, just a mild embarrassment for us fans.
I don’t actually care that much if the manager walks away. I’m not saying Lambert has been amazing. I think he has been slightly disappointing and a bit below par. I just don’t see the value in paying up 4 years of his contract for little gain and more importantly, neither will Lerner.
The way to show your contempt for Lerner is to not go to matches and to not buy any merchandise.
Of course you are hurting the club you love by doing that but it’s the only weapon anyone has against him.
I keep going because I love the Trinity Restaurant. We always groan when it’s kick off time!
Hey Droyd, nice to see you back here again. I think we missed an opposing point of view to the Lambert/Lerner out contingent since you stopped posting and JL and Matt switched sides 🙂
Having said that, I’ve got to agree with the majority, its time for Lambert to go. I agree on all your points, few could have kept us up with the dross he had, he is trying to change our way of playing, etc but I fear its too late. Teams have found us out and we have no answer for them. “I have explained the upside of getting rid of Lambert. Achieving mid-table.” you say, isn’t this itself an improvement? I think Lambert is running out of tricks to keep us up and this year is going to end up in relegation. And even if we don’t get relegated, my nerves wont be able to handle the path to May. As you and others have pointed out, the biggest fear is getting an even worse manager (Felix Magath anyone?). But maybe we’ll go down swinging and not in this tepid manner.
Droyd: “just a mild embarrassment for us fans.”
Well I’m afraid you have to speak for yourself there, mate! If records like the most home defeats in one season and the least goals scored in one season don’t bother you in the context of a football club that not long we were saying is still one of the best 6 in the country, then I’m a monkey’s uncle. … Don’t answer that! 😉
John – Lerner is the owner. It is his club entirely. It’s not a Co-Operative, he can do exactly as he chooses. If you don’t like it (and none of us do currently), then boycotting is your only option. He doesn’t go to matches, he doesn’t care a jot what the atmosphere in the stadium is like.
He was sat behind me at the end of the McLeish era for the game we lost at home to the eventually relegated Bolton Wanderers. I have never know such a poisonous atmosphere in the stadium. I think that’s what made him dispense with McLeish. I haven’t seen Lerner since and I am only a few rows in front of where he sits when he is there. He won’t care about the atmosphere in the stadium because he won’t ever have to suck it up.
“end up relegated” is what I meant to say
Droyd,
It was Lerner *himself* who said that he came as a steward of the entity called Aston Villa.
By stating that he actually tried to convey that he was acting in the best interests of the community that exists.
We can see now that he has no idea on how to be a steward.
Yes, I agree with the actions you state that fans can take under the circumstances … and I am sure they will, one way or another.
Villalore – There are several reasons why I don’t think we will be close to being relegated.
1) Lambert’s track record in previous seasons with much worse squads. (15th is his worst)
2) There are at least 10 poor teams in The Premiership
3) Our goalkeeper, defence and defensive midfield are looking very good. Can’t see us shipping the amount of goals that relegated teams ship.
4) A couple of new signings (likely) should sort out or goal scoring woes.
5) Kozak is back in February. Whatever your views on him as a player are, he is a goal scorer.
Yes mid table would be a slight improvement on where we are but I question whether it would be good value to pay up Lambert for 4 years at £3 million a year to improve slightly.
Didn’t we finish 16th in his first season? And have even less points in his second?
Midtable mediocrity would be an improvement on where we finished. I don’t class 15th/ 16th and mid table. Isn’t mid table 10 th ?
Bloody hell, we did finish 15th his first season. Scary heights. Still beyond dire though and unacceptable
There is an article today saying g we should be up there Madrid and Bayern
this chaps optimistic
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?
a=7517971
frem- I’d say mid table could be the middle ten teams with 5 at the top 5 at the bottom. other than a eufa spot or relegation and bit of extra dosh its meaningless as there’s not a massive difference in points these days
SWV – no worries mate.
Just to be clear – I’m as annoyed about the football and the several years of rubbish as anyone. I’m not a massive fan of Lambert – I just don’t subscribe to the idea of sacking the manager always being the answer we come up with irrespective of the circumstances.
To everyone – when you list out the failures and the bad stats (as if we we’re aware) – you give the impression that Lambert is wholly 100% responsible. When you argue that getting rid of him will address those poor stats – you’re wrong. I’m sorry. You only hope someone will do better – just as we hoped Lambert would do better than McLeish. Just as every football fan who isn’t happy always reaches for the easiest lever to pull – sack the manager and hope for someone better.
That might work but so might allowing him to continue to gradually improve (even though I accept it’s painfully slow) given the circumstances we find ourselves in. The Droyd argued it well – Lerner gambled and lost. We all lost when the money ran out. Loads of you are arguing these stats as if that money rush on guff players never happened.
Loads of you argue as if the answer to money lost on bad signings is to spend more of someone else’s money.
Loads of you pretend as if you have no knowledge of a player not working out when you know full well – every signing at every level is a gamble. Lambert has not done too bad with signings and it’s very easy – after the fact – to go on about those who didn’t make it.
John Lerwill – who I have loads of respect for has written this:
“What disappoints me most about Droyd’s thread is the very acceptance of Lerner’s ownership of the club and that therefore he is able to do what he pleases and ignore the fans’ dissatisfaction.”
John – he’s tried to sell the club as well you know. There isn’t a magnificient benefactor ready to step in a waste money on a football club. That’s cold hard reality – let’s not compare our situation to Man City and Chelsea for whom the magic money did appear. Once you accept that fact, you have to accept the difficult confines of working withing a tight budget, buying from the bottom shelf of players and enduring the higher wastage rate that comes with it.
I hate having to explain the money point as if I’m some arsehole parent explaing to spoilt children why we can’t afford a Nintendo. YES I KNOW Billy across the road has one – he saved up for it. And I know Matt (it’s Matthew actually) McGowan has a PS4 and an Xbox – his folks are rich! Don’t throw out the games console you have in the hope I’ll get you one – ye pestering little fuckers!
[One more time -] I don’t think Lambert is brilliant. If he was replaced – depending on who replaced him and if all the upheaval and new team building and new philospophy could be avoided – I might be happy.
Supporting the Villa always means hoping for improvement. I fail to see how spending all day every day talking us down, getting massively depressed, getting angry with mates, showing up to boo, saying football men know nothing, calling for the same answer, blaming one dude when loads have underachieved – I fail to see how any of that is consistent with “Villa til I die”.
When we do win something – some of us will be able to say – I supported them through thick and thin and had to put up with a mountain of shite but I kept the faith and I always backed the lads.
Some of us WON’T be able to say that. Not honestly anyway.
John – We disagree further here. I do not believe that Randy Lerner has ever acted in anything other than what he considers to be in the best interests of Aston Villa. He owns it so it is in his interest to do the very best he can for it. He had a very costly divorce and ran out of the required money to do what he came here to do.
He is trying to manage the costs the best way he can. Don’t forget he is personally keeping us afloat as Aston Villa in it’s current state is not self sufficient.
I can criticise Lerner’s competence in several areas but I don not question his integrity as a steward of the football club.
droyd-
Kosak has been out so long it could take him until june to get truly fit. he’s a big unit and judging by the time out having a lot of probs from what should be an 8-10 week injury and return to training.
this window is the reverse of the the houllier jan window. then we lacked a finish now we cant provide let alone finish
Droyd, I see we cant cure your optimistism. 10 poor teams yes but even the poorest ones are playing well and scoring goals. Even if we aren’t conceding as many goals as last season, the Leicester game showed what happens when other teams score and we fail to.
I rather we sign one player at 8 mil rather than 2-3 at 3 mil average. Gil is not the answer.
Droyd, As you have said before, you enjoy playing devil’s advocate and no doubt this article has provoked more people to post – so on that level it is a success.
You have presented a case for PL which flies in the face of everything currently being circulated in the media. I appreciate that majority opinion is not always right of course and it is good to get the alternative view. My point is not that just because most people want him out then he should go, but the efffect of the pressure on manager and the players when they are the object of ridicule by their own fans and media home and abroad. We now have the situation where the s press, former players and the majority of the fans have lost confidence in the manager , born out by the falling attendance and due to the boring football football and the stats; you know simple things like wins and scoring goals, then the manager’s job is untenable.
Since we started the “new passing the ball style” it looks like the players have definitely lost confidence in PL as they are like actors without the script – OMG I have got the ball what do I do next” I agree with you that when you are losing games, only a madman would say “ok lads – forget what you’ve been doing for last 2 seasons – you are going play like Peps teams”
Paul Lambert has had his chance and once the fans and the media turn, and your players have lost belief in you then the best outcome for Mr Lambert and Randy Lerner is to part company “by mutual consent” or however they want to dress it up. He looks like a man who hasn’t got any more idea and what’s worse he knows it.
Paul Lambert has been heavily supported by the media until a couple of weeks ago. They are now seeing what thousands of supporters have seen for much l onger, a man who has failed to establish a convincing and winning team of players or a style of football. It will not have escaped Randy Lerner that when PL came to the club he had a striker which cost him 24 million who was still scoring 1 goal in 2 games average. PL said he didn’t fit into his style of football and the bomb squad was created. OK that is his perogative – but after throwing out the old – he has to ensure that the new is better. It isn’t. We have a potentially world class striker in Benteke who we were told did fit into his style of football and bought for the Lambert style. As we have not scored a goal for 7 hours and are the laughing stock club for contesting the GUinness Book of Records for’ how long can a team go without scoring a goal’, the Benteke Lambert way hasn’t been a resounding success has it. How many teams would give their bottom teeth for a player like Benteke. I hear the ,” well we just need another x, y , midfielder, attacking bla bla bla” we have been hearing this since PL started !! He has had 2 and half seasons to create a team with one of the best strikers in the bottom half table teams at least, but he has failed miserably.
I hope that as Matt has suggested, there may be a get out clause in PLs contract for either party to terminate on a reasonable period of notice. After the experience with MON, it would be likely that RL gets his employment contracts right. But then again………………
This article by Adrian Durham explains far better than I can why Paul Lambert’s job is untenable. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2907842/Aston-Villa-mixing-Bayern-Munich-Real-Madrid-right-Paul-Lambert-s-useless.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
I haven’t seen anything other than Youtube clips of Gil, so I can’t comment on that. I do however think that Cissokho, Sanchez, Westwood and Okore have been excellent value for the low fees paid.
I’m not optimistic, far from it. I was utterly horrified and depressed after this weekend. The Leicester game was just the latest in a series of uninspiring performances against weak teams.
Here comes the optimism.
During Lambert’s tenure we have performed better than expected against the better teams. I am hoping that this continues as our fixture list is starting to look horrible again.
I stress the word hope, not expect.
Aston Villa should be mixing it with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid… but Paul Lambert’s useless side will be slumming it with Swindon soon
Aston Villa have failed to score in their last four outings
They’ve scored 11 in 21 games… less than half the number QPR have
Fans are expecting a return to the days under former boss Martin O’Neill
But right now they are heading for the Championship
THese are the headlines from that article. OK so we know the press are going to be sensationalist, but not so long ago they were saying PL was a great manager. THis is a big challenge for the AV media department – hang on – did they ever appoint a replacement for Dougan ?
villalore- unfortunately I think the money for delph a paltry 8mil will be the transfer fund and we need width and a number ten and a Charlie austin type imo. we are supposed to be buying cleverly but that looks unlikely and we may not even retain him. its rumoured we want the young utd winger on loan so cleverly has to go. I suspect the lower gates/sales have probably affected our transfer possibilities. I think we would be looking at 15-20m for the quality your talking about unless we can find a bosman/ end of contract situation.
Or as Jim E Mora NFL NFL Coach famously said
“Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve” is the difference in what I’m talking about! The good teams don’t come in and say “Could’ve.” They get it done! All right? It’s that simple! I’m tired of saying “Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve.” That’s why we ain’t good enough yet! ‘Cause we’re saying “Could’ve” and they ain’t!
I’m pissed off right now. You bet your ass I am. I’m sick of coulda, woulda, shoulda, coming close, if only.”
I’m sorry but there are too many “coulda, wouldas” in your article Droyd. – the clock has to be ticking now.
Hi Jenny
Some good points and I agree with you on certain things. Especially the point about the negative effect the fans can have on the players. Of course this would not be a factor whoever the next manager is.
I also agree with Adrian Durham’s (not someone who’s view I normally respect) article. His article agrees with my post as far as I can see. We are going nowhere with this owner, whoever the manager is. I didn’t see any call in that article for Villa to sack Lambert. He states that he thinks that Lambert is a good manager that has lost his way. He also states that he has sympathy for Lambert because he is working within very tight financial restraints. I even saw him on Twitter recently stating in agreement with co-presenter Darren Gough, that Lambert should NOT be sacked.
I haven’t written this to deliberately stir anything up. It’s what I actually believe. I hadn’t even written it for AVL originally – it was for my personal blog and private messaged the link to Matt to see if he wanted it for AVL.
Yes, I deliberately provoke and kick the hornets nest on my politics Twitter account (I can accurately be described as a troll to politicians and leftards) and occasionally that persona may spill over into my views on football but not on this occasion.
If the troll in me spills into football blogs it will be because I have seen something that I believe to be stupid. When the mong is strong, sometimes I can’t resist being ruthless. It’s a bit of a character flaw but I’m working on it. 🙂
its taken 3 seasons for Lambert to realise we are not going to find 2 fullbacks that can defend and attack in equal measure for tuppence halpenny. we have used 8 players in those specialist positions and none have been of the required standard. I suspect his lets keep the ball period is the prelude to lets use wingers as we create naff all from the center of the pitch so we will see crosses galore when we buy someone who can cross, this after we sold (albrighton) the only one we had.
I’d expected this to be a complete arse licking exercise by a future second in command at Aston Villa. However I found that the opening paragraphs absolutely define what is wrong with Lamberk being at the helm, so I was wondering at what point we’d get to the clear reasons as to why Lamberk shouldn’t be sacked.
It appears the reasons why he shouldn’t be sacked is because it a case of better the devil you know and getting an Asst Mgr and 2 forward type players, I’d respond by do you trust Lamberk to turn things around between now and May that will gaurantee survival because that is the hope, if we discuss expectations then do we expect mid-table obscurity and is that too much to ask from the current squad of players. If you trust him to turn things around, do you trust him to get an Asst. Mgr. that he’ll support, he proved he wouldn’t support Keane over player power, do you trust him based on 3 years that he can select the right type of player for the club as you are at pains to show he has Sanchez/Cleverly and Westwood in midfield who are the same type of player when we’ve cried out for wingers, an AM and a second quality forward for years, all of which Lambert should have seen and addressed. His record of players in, doesn’t inspire any confidence.
Tactics, agreed people make mistakes but this guy has his coaching badges and regularly (I assume) studies tactics and counter-tactics, but how long does a mistake last 1 year, 2 years, 3. We, according to Villa PR should now be informed that Lamberk has a new style, players were rolled out in support of it, the new style is possession football in our own half, that is not a style, that is damage limitation and precludes any forward play and makes Benteke look useless
You advise that at best we could see a small upturn in fortunes by changing manager but dismiss this against the cost of paying off Lamberk’s contract. Surely, the argument is that because Lamberk has shown no evidence that he can change things that the only recourse is to change the manager. The idea that if we change to someone who turns out to be brilliant may not be realistic, granted but why stop with an end of season position, why not consider change as impacting this season and the next and the next.
In my opinion, the players are no longer playing for Lamberk, there is no sense of loyalty so playing for the shirt doesn’t come into it for most of the team, therefore you are left with a situation that the status quo can only lead to equally poor results, I expect we’ve been saved in the last few seasons by not only three worse teams but that human quality of survival, the players did enough in the final games to call themselves premier league players, not to call themselves AVFC premier league players.
You refer to the downside of getting a dreadful appointment, I don’t need to remind you of Lamberk’s win/lose/draw stats for this season so far, what could be worse than that, I agree change maybe too late already and we wouldn’t see an impact but I remind you the status quo you are advocating will lead to one thing only because I don’t see Lamberk turning things around, because I don’t see the players performing for him, there is only one road for AVFC and thats to the championship.
Let’s say he stays and we find three worse teams to save us, Delph, Vlaar, Beneteke, Sanchez and Okore would leave and what are we left with, the vultures are circling and they’ll pick off the best and leave the scraps because we are a selling club and we are playing badly.
I don’t trust Lerner to appoint a good manager at all but I do expect him to forego another contract and look to make the change now or very soon if AVFC are to survive another season. At the very least we’ll have genuine tactics, play to our strengths and a manager that the player have to respond to.
Clearly Tom Fox was brought in on the long term, why not think that way with the manager, such that regardless of the club being for sale, that you look to appoint for the future, I’m at pains to point out Luciano Spaletti and Thomas Tuchel are available right now and could be the long term managers that we’d need to progress. As I said yesterday, only by results does the financial fortunes of the club change, without results expect AVFC to stagnate for a very long time more.
Thanks for your post and creating the debate but for me it’s Lamberk and Lerner Out
Darren – I respect your opinion and we agree on some things. However those two managers you mention would represent a huge risk. Totally unproven in our league and could potentially take this club down. I have stated reasons why I don’t think this would ever happen under Lambert.
Lerner is delighted with Lambert. Our views on the subject ultimately don’t matter in the slightest but we are entitled to them. Thank goodness for blogs.
Mark – I think we are massively improved in the full back area this season. Hutton is a big upgrade on Lowton and Bacuna at right back and Cissokho, whilst being ordinary, is the best we have had for some years.
mark k
we gave albrighton away like friedel
we paid for richardson and given
we gave sicknote cole 2 year contract
anyone else think there is a correlation between the coach scott marshall being closer to Lambert and our better defensive efforts this season? with culverhouse gone and now Keane he is Lamberts right hand man. now, whose pulling the strings? you’d assume Lambert must be coaching the mids and forwards but maybe not. I do attribute our defensive coaches efforts in improving our defence and he probably had a say in our defensive signings too. lets pray if Lambert stays his next coach is someone like a teddy sheringham type and not tony adams.
Tony H : “Trying to sell the club”, sure, but he really should not have bought it in the first place if he didn’t know what was required. But what’s done is done, and what we are left with is a situation where people are running the club from the boardroom to the pitch who are still not switched on to what Villa is all about.
Droyd – “I can criticise Lerner’s competence in several areas but I don not question his integrity as a steward of the football club.” Well then you have not really seen nor have a feel as to what has gone on. I appear to have been a bit closer to it.
Let’s not forget that our new possession style of football contributes to lots of pressure being taken off our defence too.
Quality of personnel has undoubtably improved there. Even Senderos as back up is a steal on a free. We may as well sell Vlaar if we can in January. His injury may prevent that unfortunately.
I will drive Delph to Anfield myself if we get £12 million (laughable figure bandied around in the press) for him. Ungrateful little wretch.
What have you seen that contradicts my opinion on Lerner acting in the best interests of Aston Villa John?
droyd- defensively yes but they are only effective going forward when they have masses of space to run into, they both then deliver on the run generally thoughtless crosses. if faced with an opponent from a standing start or required to make a clever run or cross from a standing position they are both poor. where as luna, bakuna, bennett and lowton have been the opposite. we need someone like an ashley cole to play that way.
James G.- I put a post up earlier showing how many excellent players will be leaving mostly the top clubs on Bosmans this season, including Milner. now is this a trend?
if so you have to ask why? on here its assumed its because Lamberts forgotten about it like a football version of homer simpson. its seems its happening at much better organised teams than ours and I suspect its due to wage demands vs FFP constrictions, especially as those teams are likely to bring in more players soon on big money/wages.
Jenny/Darren – terrific posts albeit that they could be simply summed up in a few words! 😉
Like … “We follow the Villa because we are (were) proud of the club and its heritage and used to enjoy the excitement of the play offered. We have not seen anything much to support those reasons for something near 4 years now. Isn’t it time that a solution be put in place … or offered our money back?”
Droyd – Durham Has supported PL in the past and that is my point . Even the media lambert lovies are turning . That article does not support Lambert it exposes his weaknesses .
As for the fans putting they players off , yes of course . But they aren’t going to be shooting “new manager out” when someone else takes over. This dissatisfaction has been simmering for one and a half seasons at least .
You haven’t answered explained why Lambert has failed to make the most of Benteke , I’ve been saying it since he returned from injury and Durham reiterates it; the lad looks exasperated and unhappy. You can’t blame him !
Hi Droyd, the very reason why Lerner went with a Premier League only experience manager has got us in the situation we are in, I don’t get the argument that the EPL is any different to any other league it terms of qualities to be a good manager, Did Mourinho have any experience of EPL, no, does he have the qualities of a good manager yes (putting to one side his arrogance/over-confidence). The catch 22 situation you are suggesting as a preclusion to looking to anyone outside of those who hasn’t managed another club in England, narrows the population to select from, any that are available, are available mostly because they have failed at their previous club and this does a great dis-service to quality managers who would jump at the chance to manage in England.
But you haven’t stated the reasons why Lamberk would ensure we’d avoid relegation, you suggest a quicker ball forward but there’s no evidence that Lamberk will deliver this. You’ve castigated his player selection and the form of N’Zogbia, you’ve stated Cole is too old and too injured, you’ve shown how unbalanced midfield is but still you expect that the reason the situation exists should continue in their role. He’s under performed with the squads available to him and by his own admission has assembled his strongest squad but gets nothing out of them. How do you trust him to get the players we need within budget and develop his style to go beyond the sideways pass to the forward pass, prior to this it was a counter attacking style which bore no fruit so if he can’t produce a side that attacks well, how can he produce a side that defends and attacks well.
We’ve skirted along the bottom for too long, not for one of those chances to bite us in the arse and get relegated. I’m not averse as strange as it may seem to relegation, it would force a further reduction in Lerner’s valuation making us more saleable, it would quickly show which players want to jump ship and it would galvanise support around a team looking to win or qualify for the premier league as opposed to the banality of accepting league participation that we currently have, fans are not enthused by both the playing style and the idea that mid-table obscurity is achievement.
Lamberk was entirely wrong in his comments but previous managers have trotted out the same diatribe on expectations. The expectation should be to challenge in every game, there is no expectation that we’ll win the league but by challenging you can progress up the table.
I’ve seen Villa fans say don’t bother with signing the petition to get Lamberk sacked as it will do nothing. But the very reason to sign it is to voice an opinion that change is required or else you are prepared to accept the status quo, if you are prepared to accept what Lerner and Lambert have done to AVFC and not consider that change can be the positive factor AVFC needs then you’re prepared to accept AVFC as a nothing team in a nothing league.
Droyd: What have you seen that contradicts my opinion on Lerner acting in the best interests of Aston Villa John?
I have intimated various things on this blog in the past Darren, but to answer it fully would take an entire essay. But an essay would start something like: “From the outset, the chairman was determined to impress the club’s following and create an atmosphere of support for everything he did…”, ending with “…In the end, he found he couldn’t cope with the realities of running a major football club.”
In other words, we have effectively experienced what some might describe as “a mass deception”.
But rather than write that essay, it’s best just to say we have a difference of view as I have a lot of other things to do that need my time.
Mark – I agree with regards to full backs. Finding one that fits that criteria with our financial restrictions would be very difficult. Cissokho and Hutton are about as good as we can hope for in the current circumstances. Both are good defenders, especially Hutton. When I chat to Charlie Aitken (our record appearance maker), as an ex full back, he always insists that full backs are first and foremost defenders and I have to agree. Ours are.
One of the things I note is that several people are still saying how good our defence is.
Really?
Is it just me or have we not been seeing a dip in performances of late, particularly in Hutton. Okore impressed when he came back but has slowly gone downhill in my estimation – Clark seems to do a lot of work for him I think and Okore is also slow at times.
And the acid test was against Leicester where an Albrighton-inspired might have score 5 – and should have scored at least 3.
John – OK. Fair enough. I don’t personally view it as a deception. Lerner would not have bought the club thinking it would end up where it is today. He believed that he could make us a Champions League Club but O’Neill couldn’t get us there. After decades of Ellis, I was happy for him to take that risk at the time. We were unlucky that lots of other clubs were spending big at the time too, notably Man City who spent a lot more than we did. It wasn’t just luck of course. O’Neill wasted a lot of money, instead of supplementing the good buys with the good young players we had at the time.
SWV – the feeling is mutual. You are an incredibly negative individual. I am yet to see anything you have ever written that is worth reading. I doubt you even go to the matches
The way to show your contempt for Lerner is to not go to matches and to not buy any merchandise.
Well Droyd if you want to talk about contradiction there you have it , you criticise me for not going to games and then you advise us not to attend.
Theres an old saying “when you are in a hole stop digging”.
But nice to see you back on here even if it is only to poke the vipers nest and protect your own article.
AVFC RIP
Defence is much improved John. It’s not high class but much improved. The last few seasons it has been shambolic.
Droyd – Lerner came with an adverse record at the Browns! Or haven’t you looked at what happened there?
Therefore his abilities to achieve what he thought were most likely nowhere near the reality of what he could achieve – hence probably why we had the General to keep us focused on how good the chairman was.
Droyd,
I’m beginning to think you’re concentrating on eating your prawn sarnies in the restaurant and not watching matches, mate! 😉
Didn’t you watch the Leicester match? They could so easily have been 3-up at half-time.
SWV – You are deliberately misinterpreting my words and somehow coming to the conclusion that I am a hypocrite.
I have never advised anyone not to go to the games. I implore everyone to go as it helps the club. I just said it was the only way you can have an impact on Randy Lerner. Fan ppinion won’t mean anything to him. Loss of revenue will.
So to be absolutely clear, I encourage everyone to buy lots of merchandise and go to all the games as it helps the club. I put thousands into the club every season. I wish there were more masochistic bastards like me. 🙂 Villa Park is like a library. (Not that I blame people for staying away in the slightest)
Droyd
Alternative adaptations to the headline of your leader…….
The reasons why PL shouldn`t be sacked ……yet.
Why shouldn`t PL be sacked?
Agree with Darren,it`s a better the devil you know argument.
Tactically we/our only strength in the final 3rd. is exploiting the space behind,we`ve beeen denied this so Gabby is impotent and Benteke spends have the game trying to play with his back to goal and conjour up a wonder goal a la Palace.
Maloney is about to leave Wigan,he would be worth a punt IMO.Why?He can deliver a FK and corner which beats the 1st man,his delivery is worth 8 points from dead balls in my humble.
B6 – dead right about Maloney. A sensible solution and not the signing of Gil (as the solution).
John – I like NFL so was fully aware of Lerner. He owned BOTH us and the Browns. Now he owns neither. I think that speaks volumes about his changed financial position post divorce.
And yes, the meal is almost always the highlight of my visit. I make no apology for that. 🙂
John – Agreed the whole team (apart from Guzan and Clark) were abject at Leicester. I watched the whole game on livestream.
I’d be amazed if Lambert would sign Maloney, although I agree he is the TYPE of player we need. Not sure how much ability he retains at his age, as I don’t watch Championship football.
The reason I don’t think Lambert would sign Maloney is that he doesn’t track back and defend when we don’t have the ball. A luxury player.
Droyd,
No … though he did own both at the same time, he came here having been in charge of the Browns for 3 or 4 years and developing a reputation as a disappointing chairman before he set foot at VP.
afternoon all!
Droyd you got some big brass ones, i tells ya!
seriously though good well written piece.
Pro’s and con’s all in all – its a faily balanced piece, all things considered.
But i am not surprised some of the other lifers bite your head off. 🙂
Keep calm and support the villa!
Mark King
3 hours ago
poss new team?
guzan
hutton senderos/okore clarke sissoko
gil sanchez westwood sinclair
cole/ weimann
benteke
looks tasty that does just needs a rotatation cole and grealish
Droyd,
I will graciously accept your alopogy, could have grovelled a bit though. Don’t bother alopogising for being a Tory though, thats unforgivable.
i think gil is a wingerish
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/01/12/guillem-balague-tells-sky-sports-what-aston-villa-can-expect-fro/?
Guillem Balague usually knows what he is talking about,
plus he will have a connection with Sanchez as they spent at least one season together at elche and, if this taken in to account carlos is easliy our best midfielder and he is always looking for some ahead of him to pass the all to, but gets crabs to pass to – some it makes a lot of sense from that point of view ( heres hoping !)
Keep Calm and support the Villa!
Mark,
For the sake of an extra 20k he gave away a player of pedigree and potential and a good option, not even 20k, he signed Tonev.
JL- in the last match I got to see our wonderful passing game. generally we kept the ball but the running off the ball was pants. also I noticed as we passed the ball around hutton and sissoko were pretty much camped in the oppositions half whenever possible, not running into space beyond their defence just standing while we passed it about. that effectively leaves 2 at the back with sanchez/westwood shielding them. I’m assuming the other recent games have been the same. so in reality we have stopped defending as a proper back four since passagedon started 🙂
Mark,
Kojak is a big unit ? are you dizzilectic ?
steamer I agree, but he didn’t use him and if your forced to look at the financials to that level he was an extra cost. what pisses me off is he’s abandoning the reasons he sold him for ( we dont use wingers) and is buying wingers.
steamer he’s 8’9″ hardly jimmy cranky
Anyway, IMO Flabby is doubling up as AM, he’s got rid of Culverarse, Karsa and Keane, Lambert discusses tactics with him put on two stones of blubber, somehow got himself a new contract for doing bugger all and he’s retired from actually playing the game, all the evidence is there.
mark k
our system or non system against leicster
two defending full backs play as wingers
2 defensive mid play centre back along with clark okore
you couldnt make it up
AND YES LAMBERT GOT HIS BADGES IN GERMANY
and saying we need manager with pl experience well fergie wenger mourino koemen potticheno some of top my head LERNERS A FOOL PLAYING WITH OUR FEELINGS RELEGATION WILL SEE NO TV MONEY GATES OF UNDER 20 THOUSAND
Droyd,
What’s your next headline going to be ? “Why isn’t Bennett captain of Villa.”
Lerner has a great working relationship with Lambert.
So did McCleish but he booted him a couple of months after inviting him to Cleveland to meet his rugby club coach.
David Luiz in FIFA’s team of 2014 !!!!!
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/01/13/report-aston-villa-launch-late-bid-to-sign-west-hams-ravel-morri/page/1/
this guys got some of pl experience,
Ravel Morrisson anyone ?
Sanogo to Palace.
Droyd you have stated a number of times that you don’t believe we will get relegated under Lambert because we stayed up the previous seasons
imo you couldnt be more wrong right now – we are losing to bottom teams who have all showed fire in there belly of late and will stregtnen in ths window — they are all set up to be more functional that villa as it is
Yes we have done well against the big sides in the past but the team has hit rock bottom under this manager and if as i expect we lose most of the coming games we will be in the bottom 3 — once there we may not get out ——- this is why if we don’t change now { which i believe we wont} we are very likely to be relegated
What i can’t understand is how so pretty intelligent fans can except 3 years of non progression as a great job by the manager
i have read all the arguments , no money no ths no that —— but in that same period teams have come from the champonship on less than us and surpased us by miles , generating enough fund to now be finacially stronger than us
Fair play to Droyd for keeping at it.
I have to confess though, Steamer, this made me laugh: “Why isn’t Bennett captain of Villa.”
Droyd,
I love yer man, i follow you on twitter and its always nice to have an opinion, seriously; you are about the only entertainment i get these days.
I read the same old drum banging over and over again, there are only so many ways you can get a point across, without people like you life would be dull.
That being said…JEEEEZ what a load of crap, the man is a disaster, inept just doesn’t do him justice, he’s as cack as a cack shoveler studying cack at cack university in cacksville.
At this moment in time the club chef could do a better job on the pitch, now i know that if we get rid then who do we get in his place, TBH id take a Championship manager at the moment and give him to the end of the season, cant do any worse!
As much as i value your opinion, have a word with yerself!
Rog,
Who next Al Capone ? I know we’re desperate but standards mate.
That being said…JEEEEZ what a load of cr*p, the man is a disaster, inept just doesn’t do him justice, he’s as cack as a cack shoveler studying cack at cack university in cacksville.
Brill
Whatever your feelings on the situation Droyd’s certainly stirred up some opinions, well done.
TVB and two other blogs combined to send this message “We want our Villa back” suggesting that fans stay out of the Holte for the first eight minutes, entering for the last significant ’82. Surely it would have been better for ALL the blogs to have been invited.
Paul Lambert shouldn’t be sacked and well done blimey Steamer you are going soft in your old age.
Its nice to see three sites trying to do something about the mess we are in and AVL saying Lambert should keep his job, we must look gutless to the Villa community.
AVFC AVL RIP
Ravel Morrison?Yes please,the lad has talent to burn,but he is too good for us he runs with the ball,can beat a man,can shoot,scores blinding goals….he would be played at LB by Lambert and told not to cross the HW line.
Droyd`s next leader Why Hasn`t Lambert been knighted?
“
To be fair to Droyd whilst I disagree with him, the idea that the forum should produce the same opinion by everyone would make it very dull and at least we are debating the relative merits of sacking him vs employing him, I’m not saying the others aren’t debating but we can’t prevent opinion even if Droyd is so wrong he’s providing the shovel for Cacky McCack from Cacksville (doffs cap to Roderick Seel who provided a succinct and better response to my offputting essay).
So less so gutless and even Vital Villa were sent the request and published it, who’s to say if its not in Matt’s inbox or in the requestors haste to get the message out to Villa fans only selected a couple and not all.
Good to see it’s being pick up by the press (online)
“Why isn’t Bennett captain of Villa.”
I can answer that one.
1. He’s injured.
2. His hair dos suck, too closely resembles Vanilla Ice.
3. Aston Vanilla, easy to lick:)
Good try, Droyd. Your reasons, the financial ones, for keeping Lambert will probably keep him at Villa. Something has to happen, though. If Lerner isn’t selling, he’ll need to seriously invest and get Villa competing again. It just, in the long run, makes commercial sense.
If we sack Lambert tomorrow who the hell will come and work under Learner. Sherwood is the only one that springs to mind and thats like jumping from fire into fire.
All our anger is wasted on Lambert…..it should all be on Learner to get things done.
The protest on sat could well be a half assed event and look stupid.
If its going to happen the Holte needs to be completely empty.
I think the toon done something similar earlier in the season and only a few hundred did it…looks a bit daft.
Carles Gil is officially a Villa player 🙁
runtingz- for what its worth I think the reason teams coming up have looked more accomplished or together than us is they have spent several seasons together in the championship playing together with a clear plan and aim, get to the prem. not 4 seasons completely changing their squad while trying to stay afloat and suffering losses of £163 mil its whole different mindset. we have effectively built a championship level team at best. if that £163 mil was profit and spent on players instead, I’m sure even Lambert could make us mediocre.
don’t forget even Lambert achieved achieved promotion and
gained enough attention to get this job.
SWV,
Didn’t say i agreed, just congrats on providing a very lively debate.
Just read the Mails letters from Villa Supporters (??? ) entitled to their opinions but never knew we had so many gutless wankers amongst us, apparently supporting your club means watching it turn to shite before your eyes without lifting a finger. Thank the bollox i’m off a the end of the season if all Villans backbones have turned to jelly, If these tossers had been around in 1967 there wouldn’t be an Aston Villa, gobshites.
Remember that old bag on TV when Ginger was appointed yelling “your not real fans” bet she was the first to give up her ST when the shite hit the fan, blood like gnats piss.
Mark fairplay on your last comment but at the same time the money involved in being a prem club means that any villa manager should be able to put together and get better out of aston villa and like and we should be to strong for team from the championship — the prem is a whole new ball game but sides are even coming up getting beat until they find there feet months later and then take vital point off us as,it stands we are going down this time
“Droyd,
What’s your next headline going to be ? “Why isn’t Bennett captain of Villa.”
Steamer – Love it!!!
But I’m NOT a Tory, I’m a Libertarian!
Jenny – Sorry, I don’t think I made myself very clear in my previous response.
“As for the fans putting they players off , yes of course . But they aren’t going to be shooting “new manager out” when someone else takes over. This dissatisfaction has been simmering for one and a half seasons at least .”
I was agreeing with you on that. That is one of the very few advantages I can see with getting a new manager in. The fans won’t be on his back, which helps the team of course.
Agreed on Benteke as well. The previous, more direct system suited him better. However, I think a lot of the poor performances since Xmas are down to the player himself. He looks lazy, disinterested, lacking in confidence and out of form. Part of that might be the system but there can be no excuse for his lack of movement.
Still don’t agree on the Durham article though. I think that was a criticism of the club as a whole, mainly the owner but admittedly, he clearly puts some of the blame at Lambert’s door. I agree with him. Nowhere does it suggest he should go though.
Roderick Seel – Glad I entertain you, despite us not agreeing. What’s your Twitter handle, I’ll give you a follow back if I haven’t already?
Andrew,
Only a theory, perhaps when Sherwood was at VP for a couple of games with Fox our CEO was making an approach for the future in case Lambert gets even worse ( if possible ), that way he covers himself.
Pleased with the Gil signing. Just the sort of player we need but I expect the young lad will need time to adjust to the pace of The Premiership, as his former teammate Sanchez did.
I really rate Sanchez. Cracking signing. We have done much better in the transfer windows this season. It’s a pity it hasn’t been much better on the pitch.
If Gil actually has talent and can pass a ball forwards ( unlike any other Villa player) then he will be on the bench for Saturday
I think if Gil is a half decent winger he’ll be straight in after the pool game. playing there will mean less of a physical ordeal as he can use his pace until he gets to grip. the state we are in cant see him getting long on the bench.
runtingz- to be honest anybody can take points off us and has. out of the recent promoted teams only Southampton and Swansea have much of a plan and they have spent some big fees on their players to do that. when was the last time we bought a 12-15 mil player?
teams like burnley palace etc will always struggle to stay up more than a season or so with there investment and attraction. also promoted teams are not usually full of kids. in hindsight Lambert followed his instructions on the young and hungry to closely.
makes me wonder if all the bomb squad had been offloaded last season and our wage bill £20 mil lighter would we be in this position?
I’m sorry if this has already been posted . There have been callers on the Darren Gough and Adrian Durham show talking about the protest scheduled for Saturday.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reaction-aston-villa-fans-protest-8437228?ICID=FB-Birm-avfc
Steamer
I hope we dont get sherwood as manager or number 2……i cant stand the man.
Strange he was at vp though…..was expecting him to be announced number 2 after that but gone quiet thank god!
Id love us to get sinclair in now, i like him alot, quick, clever and eye for goal….bit different to gabby! Only concern is his attitude, he is seeing that mental bird off corrie.
Droyd , it’s no longer a question of an either Lerner is to blame or Lambert. Adrian Durham’s article makes them both responsible for the “useless” team and the wrong tactics. It’s easier to change managers than owners . We have to focus on what we can control not what we would like to !
As for Benteke , I disagree that he is lazy. On occasions he’s had to create his own assists , such is the poor supply . He an isolated figure now , much the sane as Darren Bebt was when Young and Downjng left . I believe Benteke knows he can be up there with the great players , as Paul Lambert says , he had it all : strength , agility , build , football intelligence and accuracy. How frustrating for him being in this “can’t score a goal , most boring team in the League ” team.
Bad typing on last post but you know what I mean !
Thank you John L – I just don’t have your eloquence 🙂
Yes you do, Jenny. Yours oozes it… just differently that’s all.
Ha, I see that Maloney is off to Leicester, the team that (without him) got through our defence too many times last w/e.
I couldn’t believe my eyes what Droyd wrote him. “One dimensional” was it?
You know I’d love to have one Maloney piercing free-kick than all the crab-wise passing we see by Villa these days. In fact, Maloney can do a lot more than just dead-ball stuff. I’d say in the state that Villa are he’d be an OK signing.
But then Leicester can see the value in Maloney and Albrighton. So can I. If we were playing for 3rd or 4th spot then those two may well be redundant, but where Villa are now they would be very useful ammunition.
You are too kind John:-)
Yes, I agree about Albi , he looked exactly what we need , too bad he was shifted out . If PL had really wanted him he would have stayed .
yes true in your comments on our little debate mark — but that goes to show how poor lambert has been considering nether of the clubs you mentioned could spend that kind of money in the championship
Throu shrewd management and board focus they have put themselves in that position but also with no risk as they have sold for good money due to smart buying and excellent development level
JL
Or anyone else,who pays the VAT on a transfer?The seller or buyer?
The Maloney ship has sailed,not a long term purchase,but as I previously stated,his set plays would have accumaleted some points in the run in.
Whatever happens regarding the demo on Saturday a lot of good has happened this week, the media has turned against Lambert, you can tell just by looking at him when things go wrong that he can’t take criticism, he’ll fold, crank it up, get the loser out of VP and then start on Lerner & Fox.
B6B,
Strange that we don’t have anyone who can take a free kick or even a half decent corner and yet we ignore Maloney.
The buyer pays the VAT on a transfer in normal company practice .
Steamer,
The media may have turned against Lambert but it may look to outsiders that AVL is right behind him, people will see that headline without reading the 170 comments, a Villa mate of mine who frequently visits the site text me to ask what the fuck is happening to the AVL site, damage already done, can anyone seriously believe Lambert should stay in this job i fucking give up.
AVFC RIP
ST75,
My book came today although you spelt my name wrong many thanks mate and thanks to John Lerwill for signing it, it’s going straight pn ebay
runtingz your right on the planning mate, Southampton were relegated in 2005 and swansea sold for a £1. if you remember, things went from bad to worse for Southampton as they went into administration and were relegated to div1 swansea were in div3
“On 8 July 2009, the administrators confirmed that the club had been sold to a buyer “owned and controlled by Markus Liebherr”.[22] On 9 July 2009, Mark Wotte was sacked as Head Coach with Stewart Henderson taking temporary charge. The club confirmed that the search for the new manager had already begun. They said in a statement that the decision is part of a wider strategic plan being implemented to improve all aspects of the club’s operations, both on and off the pitch”
if we had implemented this approach when Lerner arrived we would all be happy clappers 😉
steamer- Gil can deliver a ball mate give him a chance
this site is a disgrace in allowing a post that wants to save Lambert he is the worst of all time he cannot motivate any players the players are not fit Droyd you are a typical happy clapper yes you like the trinity road restaurant, that is all you happy clappers go for as you have no int rest in the garbage Lambert serves up you and the likes of you are the reason Lambert is still here how you can say there are not 3 teams worse than us under this clown is a complete joke .
can you remind me the last four great teams we have played and where they are and how many goals we scored against them i went on Saturday and we where simply outclassed completely by the team bottom of the league.
how you can call your self a villa fan and any other person who dose not want to see Lambert booted out is no villa fan and the club would be better off without the likes of you and the trinity road restaurant mob
Mark,
I’m willing to give the new signing a chance (I know you said “Steamer”) but I’m worried that he’s not prepared enough for the Prem. An ability to pass doesn’t mean that he’ll fit straight in … it took Sanchez quite a few games didn’t it?
JD,
I am glad that someone agrees that this article is not only badly timed but will damage the reputation of the site, after what Lambert has done to AVFC over the last three years for anyone to believe he should stay in the job is nothing short of obscene.
AVFC RIP
I’m personally not going to read anything about Gil and just wait to see him play and judge for myself. To be honest no matter how well he adjusts it’s too much to ask for him to do it alone with the likes of Westwood and Cleverley around him. We had better get at least one more attacking threat in the likes of Sinclair or Morrison before the window shuts because one young, unproven, never to have played in the Prem Spaniard is not the singular answer to our problems Gents and Jennies. We certainly cannot rely upon Old Man Cole unless he gets a rocketpack for his wheelchair, Grealish is still young, Insomnia is doing his best impression of Rip Van Winkle when we’re in dire need of a a Rob Van Persie, Gabby looks Flabby, Weimann looks one dimensional so where does that leave of us in the creativity department. No pressure Gil but you’re smiling alot in your press conference, let’s see how you look after taking on the likes of Pool, Gunners and Chelski in the toughest league in the world… UTV
Droyd. A timely, well written and well reasoned article. I don’t agree with all of it, but it also has many valid observations.
A blog like this needs alternative views otherwise it has no purpose.
Some on here seem to struggle to recognise the difference between opinions and facts. As has been quoted in the press a few times lately: I may disagree with what you say but I defend to the death your right to say it.
It’s a very slippery path when people become so dogmatic in their views that they start seeing those with an alternative view as the enemy.
JL- I suggested earlier that gil will play as a winger similar to nzogbias role or even on the left if sinclair doesn’t arrive. apparently he’s quick and fro what I’ve seen can whip a ball in. asking him to come in at no 10 would be too much but being asked to beat the fullback and cross shouldn’t be as problematic.
careful what you wish for JD, the article may be inflammatory but droyd is entitled to an opinion even if you don’t like it. If we don’t allow free speech we all might as well shoot a few people like the extremists do. it wasn’t so long ago that the steamers would have been called hooligans when they got into a scrap and detrimental to the club. If we are worried about reputation now I’d rather we were known for free speech without resorting to slanging matches as members on here have pointed out about certain other sites.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/419948/Paul-Lambert-ready-to-hand-new-signing-Carles-Gil-his-debut-against-Liverpool
Mark,
Whether he will play as a winger or not doesn’t really have much to do with what I said, mate! 😉
What I referred to was the lead-time it may well take before he starts becoming effective because of his non-experience at this level of football.
I believe we need players that can come in and make a solid impression before end of January. If Gil does that then great, but following the experience of Sanchez it’s a bit unlikely.
JL- as usual I disagree 😉 playing centrally requires a lot more thought and there is a lot more going on around you to adjust to. on the wing you pretty much have a line and what’s immediately inside and a fullback to beat. a lot more simple than orchestrating the entire attack.
Robbo/Mark,
I have no problem with free speech in fact I am totally for it but I think the timing of such an article is extremely bad when other sites are coming together to remove Lambert from his job and for very good reason, you can dress this article up as much as you like but the headline says that Lambert should keep his job which is stunning due to the damage he has done to the club over the last three years.
The problem with an article like this is that it does not give a true view of the feelings of the AVL site at such a critical time, about 99.5% want him gone.
Forget all the dressing up that the article displays because it comes down to just one thing should Lambert keep his job and the majority are now saying no, it may have sparked a debate or even a full blown argument which some people seemed to quite enjoy, but to think that anyone would want to keep the worst manager in Villas history fills me with disgust.
Birmingham City used to be the joke team in the Midlands but recently they have slipped under the radar to be replaced by the once great once proud Aston Villa, now that leaves a real bad taste in my mouth.
AVFC RIP
JL- what I’d be more worried about is the players we have as they appear clueless in the opposing third which won’t help the lad. I think Lambert will set up 4132 maybe even 442 with full backs not being so adventurous.
SWV- matt approved it mate so Droyd although the writer doesn’t run the site. Although I understand your concerns and feelings surely if anyone bothered to read the posts they would see the fact we don’t think as droyd does. If they can’t be bothered are they worth worrying about? so far the article has not flagged upon newsnow as far as I have seen and I have certainly seen articles in the last couple of days elsewhere that while admitting he’s crap that it may not be prudent because of Lerner to boot him. Personally I think while we have all sign letters and online votes and moaned about him non of us have marched down there with a banner so are all as culpable as each other.
swv- also how many paper headlines have you read that when you bother to read the article find it to be a piss in the pond?
feck me
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/551889/Jermain-Defoe-Sunderland-14m-deal
New post up! (cough – it’s mine!)
Mark – whether midfield or winger or whatever, I again say it’s likely to take time to adjust. I know it would take me time to adjust, but perhaps they don’t want me!