The weekend’s result seems to have frayed a few nerves; a 5-0 drubbing away to the Champions has left us in the bottom three, and some have reached straight for the panic button and declared a crisis!

The reality of the situation is that during this run of fixtures we all knew a result like this was a possibility, I can only come to the conclusion that it’s the weekend’s scoreline that people are reacting to—or over-reacting, as the case may be. The fact of the matter is that it was just one game, just 3 points, points that we didn’t expect to pick up in the first place.

Yet I see people resigning themselves to relegation already and whisperings of Lambert not being the right man for the job.

Whichever way we look at it, he has only been here for three competitive months and 12 league games, this is not anywhere near a long enough tenure to draw conclusions from, certainly not long enough to call for someone’s head, and absolutely not long enough to to have turned a club the size of Villa around, especially given some of the issues imposed upon our club and squad.

Not enough experience in the squad I hear. Let me ask you: Where did our experienced, overpaid players land us? It’s not experience this squad lacks, it’s leadership—not enough leaders on the pitch and in the dressing room! You don’t need to be experienced to be a leader!

The transfer window is only five or so weeks away, and I’m starting to see the usual stories amongst fans: “Would you take Keane on loan again?”;  today’s favourite has been “let’s get Beckham!” My opinion is that these fans will more than likely be disappointed. Look how we bought in the summer, young up-and-coming players who have a point to prove. I don’t imagine much in change of policy from that.

The reaction from the weekend has left me puzzled. I thought people had really bought into Lambert’s philosophy. Are we not a bit sick of moaning? Over the last two years Villa fans have established themselves as a bunch of crybabies in the eyes of the footballing community, not happy with this, not happy with that, looking for excuses to have a pop at the club from afar and from behind their keyboards.

Lambert was the man we wanted, a young, talented and up-and-coming manager. We got our man! Now is not the time to pull the rug from underneath him.

Besides, who would replace him? A top-class manager wouldn’t even look at us if the fans caused another manager to leave the club, especially after such a short spell in charge.

Instead, we as fans should be embracing the challenge set in front of us—we have a huge part got play in trying to turn our club’s fortunes.

Above, I touched on leadership whilst on the pitch. We as the 12th man can help provide that leadership.

Now is not the time for infighting and petty squabbles.

Pride in the club, pride in the shirt.

The only way this club moves forward is as a unit! Time to unite!

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