Morning everyone, Jonny Forumer reporting for duty. Aston Villa were looking a good bet for relegation after their inexperienced side lost both opening matches, but since then a creditable point at Newcastle United and home win against high-flying Swansea City has got the Villa Park faithful dreaming again. New manager Paul Lambert is the guy responsible, so I hung around online joint Villa Talk istening in on folk assessing the former Norwich City boss impact five games in…
PieFacE…
It’s nice to have some good feeling back when thinking about Villa.
AshVilla…
The tempo we play at has surprised me
Were so quick now with our passing and not all short stuff either direct at times
Folski…
There’s so much to like about Lambert. He was obviously going to have an advantage coming in after McLeish, Houiller & how MON left but I mean, the players he has brought in have been for peanuts, look at it this way, Lowton, Bennett, Vlaar, KAE & Westwood for the price of Fletcher. What I really like though is how fair he is, had any of the previous managers going back to as far as Gregory I’d imagine witnessed the poor form of a first choice goal keeper I don’t think many would have dropped him, Lambert just seems so fair. Not dropping Lichaj even though he’s not a left back by trade after spending a couple of million on Bennett, thing is now lads know if you’re doing the business you’ll get a chance, and I don’t think they’re many young lads or new signings who want to sit on the bench. Easily our best signing in years!
Papillonk…
Has it worked out, really? We were awful against West Ham and made Everton look like Barcelona. Newcastle was a good result (perhaps they did take the win for granted?) and Swansea of course a good win at home against a mid-table at best side. Brad Guzan really kept our cleen sheet by himself after that header and following shot. I would say that all in all we have been OK and a loss on Saturday would have made things look very bad. So one game is all it takes to be miserable or chuffed as you said. Good goal from Lowton, will bring him confidence for sure and the development in our side is positive with one win and one draw. The other way around would have been worse to take.
smetrov…
He’s bedded in a defence with a rookie keeper – a div one player, a rookie centre back, rookie left back, – for 45 minutes against everton we were woeful. But we kept a clean on sat – and were beaten by a wonder goal the weekend before.
The total cost of saturdays defence was £6m – not many managers could drill and organise a defence on a such a budget – Ron Vlaar put in a performance beffitting a £20m defender on saturday.
He got all his substitions bang on – beleive youre eyes – there is miracle going on at villa park – fews seasons he will be gone – so for goodness sake enjoy while he is here ………
mjmooney…
It’s interesting that people are saying that Lambert is like a better version of Martin O’Neill. Better? I’ll say so.
MON
Motivates his starting XI……………………………….YES
Rotates his squad……………………………………….NO
Can alter formation and tactics to suit the game…NO
Knows how to use substitutes………………………..NO
Knows where to shop overseas………………………NO
Can spot a bargain……………………………………..NO
Negotiates prices and wages sensibly………………NO
Good with the media…………………………………..YESPL
Motivates his starting XI……………………………….YES
Rotates his squad……………………………………….YES
Can alter formation and tactics to suit the game…YES
Knows how to use substitutes…………………………YES
Knows where to shop overseas……………………….YES
Can spot a bargain………………………………………YES
Negotiates prices and wages sensibly………………..YES
Good with the media…………………………………….NOI know which one I’d rather have!
stanthemanisgod…
A bit over simplistic there…
For example if you’ve got a few million in the bank you hardly make a habit of hanging around supermarkets near to closing time hoping to pick up half price bread.
Would Lambert’s approach been altogether that different had he been here when the money was flowing? We can’t say, as people have hinted at we might be a little too reliant on young, unproven players as the season pans out. In a similar way we were a little too reliant on proven players under MoN.
Also intersted to know where your evidence for their respective ability to negotiate wages and prices came from. We may have offered all of this years signings more than what they were prepared to join us for as far as we know it just happens they were cheaper players than the pla|yers MoN signed.
Yes at this stage Lambert looks to be the more complete package but I dont rate your line by line critique, it’s simply not that straight forward.
Brumerican…
Looks sexy in glasses ……….
MON …….. No
Lambert….. Hell yeahWhat are your thoughts on Paul Lambert’s start, Villa fans? Have your say in the comments section below…