Kentish is rather excited today.
I am feeling ambivalent about the appointment of Lambert: delighted to have such a talented manager but also wary of his record of walking out on a club after 3 years. It’s not unusual – Steve Bruce has made it a lifestyle choice to walk out on a club and we all know Martin O’Neill never stays at a club beyond 4 years. (Quite why Villa fans were surprised when O’Neill left, I am not sure).
So let’s assume we have 3, possibly 4 years before Lambert leaves to join a “bigger club”. As a result, there should be no surprise at all when he leaves – accept this now and no one will be upset – a lesson for Norwich fans who might be bleating about treachery.
Nevertheless, that ambivalence needs to be countered with the expectation that Lambert is the right man for the job.
The appointment is exactly what I hoped for and precisely what I expected: Lerner has learned from the past 2 poor appointments and consequently, sought a manager with proven success and a good tactical record. Lambert is also a manager who appeals to the fans (not that appeasing fans should ever feature highly as a priority. Football fans, as a rule, know bugger all about tactics “get it on the floor!” and football management “spend more money on players”.) It is a clear sign from Lerner that he wants the best for Aston Villa. Within certain constraints obviously! Hopefully, this will prove to be the necessary boost for season ticket sales.
There seems to be a general trend towards wanting a big clear out of the squad. I hope and expect Lambert will ignore this to an extent. We have a relatively good squad. The problem is that many of the players have underachieved. For this, Houllier and McCleish must share some of the blame for failing to get the best out of the squad. There is a real opportunity for the players to prove themselves and a real opportunity for the squad to prove effective and resilient.
It seems Lambert will be given money to invest, not as much as some fans want (infinite transfer funds) but slightly more than perhaps was expected. £20 million has been quoted but I don’t anticipate that any sales revenue will be redirected to the manager to spend. Just the one signing of a player might cost the club £2 million and more in wages, plus additional costs in agent’s fees, signing on fees, appearance and bonus money: Hoiliet from Blackburn on a free might actually cost us £5 million.
I think it is very likely that Holt will be signed. Even at his age, it will be a useful signing. I would expect that Lambert will prove to be shrewd in the market, signing players that are not necessarily well-known but players with ambition and drive and the skillset to fit into Lambert’s style of football. I think we can rule out big-name signings and that shouldn’t disappoint anyone. Lambert wants winners, not self-interested egotistical maniacs. We need to remember that Lambert was allegedly provided with £40-50 million when Norwich were promoted – he choose to only spend a quarter of that.
I wouldn’t be that bothered if we started the season with only one or two additions to the squad because I believe that the manager is good enough and the squad is good enough to drift into the top ten straight away. The question is: would fans accept “just” a top ten finish? After last season, the answer must be “yes”. I am looking for season 2 for Lambert to deliver something special. It might not be Champions League football (is that what we are looking for?) but I expect Lambert to emulate O’Neill and return some silverware to the club.
This is a good move.
And genuinely exciting.
excited?….I dont think so … ale house football this clown will relegate us…. even McLeish couldnt do that. .. excited?….I dont think so
Nonsense as 16:44 still nonsense at 17:29.
Are you a spam poster small heath???
no just a twat
no! thats just the way i see it….. i was hoping for a complete culture change…. have seen enough hoof and chase at VP in recent times … first and foremost i want to see a pass and move style which is both effective and entertaining …. this appointment WILL NOT provide that! UTV SOTC
Have you seen any Norwich games in the last 3 years Smallheathvilla? Seriously,have you?
I didn’t think so. Give him time and then judge him.
Hoofing it is what our defence did with AM. What Norwich did was pass the ball to the big man. The fact the pass was over 10yrds is irrelevant if he holds it up or turns on the ball. imo
When are they gonna conif it? Whats takeing so long?
went to both games this season mate…. he will still get my support 100%…. and your right i shouldnt judge him yet…. it just doesnt seem that pleasing on the eye…. but maybe, with better players he may promote better pass and move style … hope so cos our reserves are a joy to watch at times and i dont want that style to be knocked out of them UTV SOTC
right chaps youve heard it here first AGAIN!my dad has had to stay late tonight at bobymoor because lambert is on his way to bodymoor heath
Has he signed or are will still trying to sway him? I don’t get it!
oh yeh its a done deal just the paper work to be sorted
Thanks Karl, it may be bullshit but has Grant Holt been there today?
no saddened grant hasnt been there
I think many are worried based on past experience re: British players. I’m thinking over inflated fees for players such as Delph, NRC, Hutton, Warnock et al.
One of the biggest pluses of OGS, and the reason why many were super excited, was because of the fact that he would be a lot more open minded on buying players from outside the UK, particularly Scandinavia. Can you imagine OGS making Grant Holt his number 1 target? Never in a million years.
If we are going for over 30s then someone like Owen would represent far more value in terms of technique, movement and guile. You will probably find that grant holt, will struggle heavily next season.
Anyway besides the point – we haven’t even signed PL yet, let alone the fact that he may not want holt!
Problem is nowadays is that British players are so overvalued. Years ago you could pick young, promising players from lower divisions for a few hundred grand. Nowadays, they slap ridiculous tags on players which I guess you can’t blame them for (but really, £8m for that Huddersfield player?really, 20m for Henderson?really, 35m for Carroll? Really, we paid 6m for Delph? Really, we paid 8.5m for NRC?and the list could go on…)
There is a reason why the top teams have a good mixture of foreigners, and that’s because foreign players have, generally, better technique than british. Watching some of the games at VP this season, I was scared every time we got the ball – we couldn’t even string a few passes together, and the movement was utter shite. It’s been the same now for a few years.
Compare that to say arsenal, where there is movement, industry, and technique – do you think wenger would get that from a bunch of Brits? I doubt it.
PL isn’t exactly the person I wanted, but nevertheless, will back him to the hilt. But he must be astute in the transfer market. Signing a grant holt (for silly money) and players of that calibre, will confine Villa to a relegation scrap season after season.
But still, we will give him time, and will judge his signings on results, but if he is going with mediocre, technically inept, overpriced Brits, then this is going to be another long season.
Post over, I am
Going to sleep now – hopefully not having any nightmares about seeing a picgrant holt holding a villa scarf over his head in the sun, with the title ‘ £15m Holt signs for villa’ (if the figure the Norwich director spouted today is to be believed…)
And FFS lambert, don’t be signing anyone from Scotland…otherwise god help us.
Can’t sleep! Nightmares about holt holding villa scarf above head in the sun – with the headline ‘£15m Holt signs for Villa’ LOL
Just been going through free transfer list.
I would have Kalou, Rodlegga, Scharner, and Diame any day of the week. Kalou and rod would add some firepower, and Diame and Scharner would add the steel.
None are British! Hooray!
Why Randy didn’t consider AVB puzzled me. He would be perfect for Villa
Maybe you are looking at it from the wrong angle – AVB would not consider AVFC!
Nonetheless PL will have my support. In fact I’d give my backing to anyone except Eck