Journeymen Days Are Over!

Paul Lambert has been unequivocal today in stating that he is only interested in players who can offer the club something, and not those who are only interested in what they can take.

Lambasting the 'get rich quick' mentality that has invaded football (not just players either to be fair) Paul Lambert over the last few years, the gaffer was almost Churchillian in suggesting that players should be asking themselves what they can do for Aston Villa instead of asking what Aston Villa can do for them, well it wasn't even a suggestion really, any player not asking the right question here won't get a look in.

I wonder if that applies to certain current members of our first team too?

Speaking to the E&S Lambert said his phone had been ringing off the hook with agents contacting him over potential transfers from players who were looking to increase their bank balance and not necessarily their actual footballing career and he admits whilst it's tiresome, it's now the nature of the game.

'The phone's been going mad, all the time. It's a bit of a pain, but I just don't answer it sometimes! You get people on to you all the time and then you find out they want ridiculous money before they will even talk to you, but that's the nature of the game, it's frustrating. People are being greedy.'

The signings of Karim El Ahmadi and Matthew Lowton are a good indication of the way Lambert is going to do business. It's been a long time coming since we scouted abroad and the lower divisions appropriately and I for one applaud it. What I think most fans will want to see also though is that Lambert will also pay big money for key players as and when they become available.

Everybody can point to the big money signings of O'Neill that didn't work out, but what Lambert has to show is he has the confidence (and the backing) to go out and spend the next £12m on another Ashley Young, or James Milner when they are identified.

Scalping talent from the lower leagues and abroad is all well and good and for the most part they will give us important squad players, but we also have to be looking out for the next stars and players who can change a game in an instant.

Maybe we are already doing that as there have been enough links recently with the likes of Jordan Rhodes, Wilfried Zaha etc who are known quantities from the lower leagues - it'll be interesting if they come off and it'll be interesting to see our line up come Wet Spam.

Paul Lambert Forum Thread.
Summer Transfer Thread.

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