Lambert Hurt - But No Apology Or Resignation

He was pretty much smiling in the post match interview too. Doesn't seem fazed in the slightest (See Owen Coyle last season and how that ended up). You can tell when a manger is in trouble whe they start spouting the same stuff. week after week Lambert = Dust ourselves down, Eck = i play 4 forwards, DOL= Good bunch of lads.

Oh by the way, I dont think there are 3 worse teams that us at the moment. Maybe not even 1 ? We are the worst team in the league by far at the moment. The table doesnt lie and nor do the stats.

I wanted to give him the time needed to build a team, and after Liverpool thought it was the right thing to do, but after the 4 drubbings and then to lose what should have been an easily winnable game last night (no disrespect to Bradford, they deserved it), I have run out of patience, he's screwed us worse than McLeish and I never expected that. Lambert - F OFF.

I wonder how a bank would turn out after 6 years if 2 football players bought it, sacked all the experienced staff it and then tried to run it on there own. Utter madness from Randy, he's basically down the same but vice versa

and just thought i'd add to the billy mcneill reference, EVERY scots manager of aston villa over the years have been nothing short of disastrous!

I'm with you fear. Millwall I'm not too fussed. But if I don't see a starting 11 with the most possible experience I will lose my *****. Seriously I'm freaking angry and all I need to get in front of a TV. You poor lads/ladies pay good money for utter tripe. Does my head in.

See I'm that mad I'm not even making sense!

Whilst I agree with most of this article, how can PL be worse than the one who shall not be named? He did his best to relegate us, but miracuolously we stayed up with one point less than his Scum side were relegated the season before.

So can anyone name a manager who would take over? and please don't mention Adkins who I may add has been SACKED by our relegation rivals.

PL has made a lot of mistakes without question, but I will still support him while he is our Manager. If, and it's a MASSIVE if, we stay up this season i genuinely believe better times lie ahead. We are capable of playing very good attractive passing football(as in 1st half last night) but prone to stupid errors, lack of confindene and leadership (as in 2nd half). The last three managers haven't been able to sort out our woes from set pieces, not just PL...I fully understand the anger and worry, but changing the Manager every five minutes will not solve the problem. We need a plan that we stick to, because we believe it will work in the long term, even when the short term might indicate differently...Having said that we MUST get at least one quality experienced player (midfield in particular) in the next week.

Cal - if PL stays we're down, most of us can see that. We have to try something - there are other managers out there, PL is not the answer, he simply has to go. We have to try something else, we have to try and stay in the Premier League.

26.05.82, I agree with you, we most likely will go under PL, but I have no idea who will save us? We dont have the players, it's gonna take a miracle.

Godz - stay calm (I'm trying to...). Inderstand the past manager merry go round wasn't the ideal, but I can't see any merit in keeping PL. I asked before what he has brought to Villa, the simple truth is nothing positive, it's not as if there's any sign of light at the end of the tunnel. He looks so out of depth and so bereft of ideas, he can not be the long term solution, so there really is no choice, he has to go - the sooner the better.

Disagree, we are weak enough as it is without the manager walking around with his head down. He has to show leadership not apologies. He is making it far to hard for himself though.

Godzilla called it. No-one has any better ideas round here. They're just upset at only winning by 1 goal. The manager is going to take all the flack. He got us this far by beating the likes of Man city. Both games gave Nzigbia the chance to find some form. We'll be better for it in the league which is all that counts.

Good grief! We can't accept this! There ARE other managers that would come to VP and would be better than PL, two or three have been mentioned above, the point is we have to try something now.

Agree with the poster who noted the depth of Lambert's ambition (I.e Villa won't have a better chance of reaching Wembley). Pathetic. Eck was a better manager and used the tools (I.e England internationals, Bent and warnock) at his disposal. Freezing out Hutton without making his own mind up was also craven.

The sad thing is if Villa were struggling in the manner that Southampton were struggling under Adkins many fans -- including this one -- would have continued to back Lambert. However, record defeats, icing senior players and a two-leg defeat to a fourth tier team in a cup semi-final is too much to stomach. As for a potential replacement, Adkins would make a good interim until the end of the season. After that a talented foreign manager perhaps, di Matteo, Solskjaer, or some unknown. In terms of Brit managers, Hughton possibly, but would he take the job? Would anyone?

Faulkner is getting away scot free here i agree.

Faulkner, Lerner, Lambert and all of the players (except Benteke, Bent, Weimann, Clarke, Guzman and the young fringe players like Carruthers) OUT.

not sure I've lost it PTP not sure I ever had it! Gamble mate, throw of the dice, do nothing I think we are down and it isnt' knee jerk, I said it in the transfer thread in the summer and a few times since. Gamble if we do, gamble if we don't.

miksten that is just it though mate, I didn't say I wanted him out, don't think you will see any article from me calling for McLeish sacking (I was vocal in the press saying he shouldn't come and then once here, tried my very best amidst much abuse as a brown noser etc to support) He was clearly never going to work, but he had time from me. So sorry, and agree Lerner was responsible for that manager and GH (not PF, he doesn't select, the boss does) so not arguing on that, but I'm not taking the accusation I want all managers out, I'm not a great one for calling for any managers head, never have been (but do enjoy managerial changes, the gossip, links, odds, the renewed hope, just one of those things like transfers etc)

I'd love Lambert to turn this around, but HE chose the players, he did have £22-24m in the summer AND he said he had more if he wanted it. The whole thing is a mess. That is what I'm talking about. So don't misquote me please! ;o)

There were anti McLeish articles on the site, they were submissions. There were the ones for protests as well, each and every one of those ones had me posting at the top it wasn't me or the site organising, necessarily agreeing etc but it is a site for all opinions and articles, I'm quite proud of that fact, if not it would be my rubbish all the time!!!!!

Let's not argue over who's the most to blame for this - Randy or Lambert - let's just agree they are both out of their depth and need to go.

there are any number of managers around who could at least organise the team and give the players some degree of shape not to mention belief. They don't have to be a world beater, anyone would be better than Lambert. Oh fwiw its not knee jerk from me I've been saying since the wet spam game at upton park that his tactics are crap

calavfc i'm not saying that Adkins will guarantee us anything but at this stage of the season and the state our beloved club is in we need to take drastic action. Anything is worth a punt at this point and Adkins was doing well this season, not last season.

Feel exactly the same at the fans do you Mr Lambert ?? Only difference being that when we are paying out our hard earned money to support our team in the championship you'll be sunning yourself on the beach somewhere with a big fat pay off in your bank account. Totally embarrased, go now while you still have some dignity !!

Lambert needs to go this week, as spurdon has said Roberto Di Matteo needs to come in and organise the team with a new midfield brought in, and between now and the end of the season Lerner and Faulkner need to go on a serious hunt to find someone to buy this famous club from our billionaire cheapskate - this is our ONLY chance of staying up this season! Can i also add that can the club please gag any player other than the team captain from making press statements? i dread to hear the likes of clarke or gabby saying "we're all absolutely gutted, the dressing room was silent after blah blah but when we left the dressing room we decided that we are going to win the FA Cup, then go on a run and win all our matches and win the league and Barry said he wuld rite to jim'll fix it and we all sed yes - the end!"

For those of you thinking...'dont sack Lambert because then we'll definitely go down'.....jeez...can't you see...? We ARE going down...we are absolute s**t. I keep saying...this is the worst Villa team I can remember, with the exception of Benteke and Weiman up front, they look a good pairing, but the rest of them have no desire, or no quality. Clarke is shocking, Bannan is 5th rate, Bennett.....can't pass, can't tackle, total rubbish. We are not going to escape this time. Get rid of Lambert and start assembling a team to get us back up again.

My son just landed back in Ireland after last nights defeat, a wasted journey ? but what was revealing from his visit to VP, was before the game in Villa Social Club, people were talking of relegation being a good thing for the club??? So Lambert is wrong, McCleish was wrong, Houllier was wrong ??? Lerner is wrong, Faulkner is wrong, seems to be a pattern establishing itself. Maybe some of the Villa Faithful need to look slightly closer to home and look at their support for Their player of last year, namely Ireland. Just one of the so called Senior players who should be stepping up to the plate and guiding the youngsters -. Look at Swansea for a Possible template ref wages and bonuses, because the shower at VP sat on cast iron contracts and massive wages are bleeding the club dry, and remember those on this site who voted one such creature as last seasons Player of the season - a joke, that made my club look desperate, and those Gob sh#%es who refused to renew their season tkt last term will all be first in the queue next season when we could be in the Championship ???. You see my thoughts on AVFC are radical, pay a player what he is worth, not what his management team? say he is worth. Contracts should be open and transparent so we as the paying punter can see just where and how our money is being spent, and then we can give an honest, informed opinion on why we think we are being short changed by players who do not in my opinion give a Toss about Aston Villa FC. We are being short changed on the quality of player at AVFC and the sad thing about it is, a number of players on cast iron contracts will be paid exactly the same in the Championships ??? Whilst Lambert may not be the best, whilst Mc Cleish may have been the wrong choice, and Houllier was, well a Frenchman ????? the players are the ones who once over the white line should be giving their all, not producing mediocre displays and basically dont give a damn look on their faces. Last night was bad but not as bad as our lack of belief in the Premier League and our free fall into the Championship - Senior players need to act accordingly!!!!!!

Think it's all been said, it doesn't matter how you dress it up..

Dublin Canary -- Villa are still big. It's the football that got small.

Just want to correct a few on what I think Lambert was saying with his comment “this is the best chance these young lads will have had of going to Wembley for the next 12 years.” I think he was meaning the chance of them playing against a division two team in the semi-final won’t happen again for at least another twelve years. I’m not sure what to think as I was pleased we went for Lambert like many others and I think he will turn around if given time. I like the idea we may be able to buy young cheap players and bring them through. He is not as bad as many are making out as you don’t do what he did with Norwich and other teams if he was that bad. He has age on his side but will make mistakes. If he does not have success with us I’m sure he will have some major success with someone else. I know Lambert chooses the players but as we know the only reason Bent isn’t playing is because of the Board. Whether that is because they said don’t play him so they don’t have to pay extra or said if you play him then the extra paid to Sunderland comes out your transfer funds. I still see it as the boards fault. Yes he had 20m but that was for an already thin squad that in recent years had lost Barry, Milner, Young and Downing and 20m was only going to cover getting one player of their quality. So the fault lies with the board as we have been in decline for 4/5 years not just since Lambert. Saying that I wanted De Matteo before we went for Lambert but was happy when Lambert came so although I think Lambert can turn it around with some backing if we had De Matteo with funds for a good center back, left back and defensive mid I would be happy as well. I think either way the board needs to spend 6m x 3 on 3 decent players but we have all known that for a long time so think the slating of Lambert should be directed at the board. Just another quick point is if Doug Ellis has been in charge things may have not been perfect but we wouldn’t have had the shambles of the last 3 or 4 years with these managers so we careful what you wish for

I honestly agree with the board on one thing. Sacking Lambert is not the answer. There is something majorly wrong behind the scenes and I dont think an manager can sort it out. Our dressing room lacks charachter and self belief like I have never seen before in a professional eam let alone premiership team! We fall apart as soon as we concede 1 goal. Ourexperiencedpros have just disappared, how did we end up with players of the charachter or Hutton, Warnock, Dunne, Ireland, NZog, (maybe Bent) who are such poor role models. Even Gabby who I have always hoped for more from is very loyal but h is no natural born leader. I think its charachter and physcal pesence thats our main issue. I think a shrink is needed, not a manager with the bunch of lads he has

We are relegated - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21158105 "Lambert safe if Villa go down" The club is run by UTTER MUPPETS!!!

We'll be alright..... The disappointment should strive them on. Defending set pieces is absolutely shocking. If we could do that, we'd have a few more points and be in the final!!!! Suprised at the reaction. Disappointed sure but it's not as bad as last year IMO.

Astriel -- If the fans don't get any communication from the club with regards to a plan, strategy, signings, whatever... when the club is fighting for its EPL life, then nobody should be suprised when the fans -- the clubs lifeblood -- get het up about it.

Lame Berts signings have been more miss than hit. He should have exacted his revolution more slowly over a couple of seasons and maintained and selected a more experienced starting XI throughout the season. He seems to be slow-witted regarding substitutions. The job is too big for him and / or he needed another few years in the game before taking on AVFC. He is not the messiah he is a fish out of water. He will be gone either this season or next as we languish mid-table in the Championship next Christmas. Terrible appointment made by well meaning but sadly incompetent people. Lack of leadership at all levels in the club. We are *****ed without some outrageous luck this season. In outrageous luck we trust then I guess :(

cropped, you said it fella. Too much, too soon. Lambert seems to want Villa playing like mid-90's Man Utd/Ajax already. Bent and Warnock have been capped by England. Why weren't they starters last night? Perhaps because Lambert can't swallow his pride. Loser.

Heavy D. Let's compare transfer windows. 2012 - 22 million with 8 players including Westwood, Benteke, Holman and Guzan. 9 Players left as well. 2011 - 18 million spent for Hutton, Nzog and Given. 14 players were sold with another 10 loaned out. 2011. 2010 we brought in 4 players for a glorious 32 million including Bent, Pires, Ireland and Makoun. A total of 18 senior players left. So yes I rate this transfer window far higher - Lowton, Bennett, Westwood, Benteke, Guzan and Holman have all played a more games than the signings from the last two years. But you did sum it up - a lot of PL's signings are filling shirts. Look at how many players have left over the last 3 years! 41 Senior/reserve team players. How do you replace 41 players with 22 million? Do the maths. 41. Cropped - who should he include for more experience? Warnock and Hutton? Last year the entire forum were calling for their heads. Dunne has been injured for most of the season. Bent - ask Villan444's opinion. Who else? The old we conceeded 4 goals at set pieces. You know what - last year we had the same problem. The year before... You know what... WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. If I recall last year we scored 1 goal from a set piece and half of our goals against were from set pieces. Short term memory kicking in??? The simple fact is that Randy has gutted the club. Over the past 3 years we have sold 3 times the number of players we have brought in. 3.... Times... Doesn't that just blow your mind?!?!!?!?!?!? Is PL to blame for that? Is Mcleish? Is Houllier? No it is Randy and his board. As I said - the last 4 years we have called for the head of every manager. We have got our wish every single time. And every year we have finished lower than the previous year. So what makes this time different??????????????

Never trusted Lerner since he bought the Club? Buck stops at the Top!!! Even Deadly Doug would have done something in January by now? Not having a pop at the players, they are the Villa Boys, we need 1 or 2 men in this squad.... 1 in Defence to hold it together. 2 in Midfield, someone who can put in a tackle and win the ball, the other, to spray it about.... We will all see how much Mr Lerner has Aston Villa in his blood by the end of January... Don't dream tho.... Peace, Love n Laughter Reg

Said it before and will say it again, it's no fluke that Swansea have a better team, style of football and manager than us. They have a clear plan, style and ethic in place which enables everyone to work towards their goals because they know which direction they are heading. Their last 3 managers had the same or similar philosophy that's because THE BOARD have signed them to keep within the club setup. The players they have purchased are made for that style of play too which helps when a manager leaves and a new one comes in. I've heard their owner talk and he has a PLAN and a direction. Now look at Villa since MON left, multiple managers that all play different styles and have very different football philosophy's. The players have been purchased with no plan at all and don't fit any kind of style. After Bradford I said Lerner and Lambert out but I really think to make any real change we need Lerner out before we can move forward. I sad when it feels as though your owner doesn't like football.

Well said AdzVilla11 as well. It makes sense, the problem is deeper.

I am still in shock at the poor showing , Mr Fear was correct he wasn't calling for Eck to be sacked that was most other people, I did say when Lambert was appointed that he was rubbish at tactics and setting teams up, no one believed me but I watched Norwich play a few and they were lucky in the games I saw, also the team spirit was there as they had been together longer but I told JF what would happen even though I hoped it wouldn't . So so shocked that he has not been sacked right away, I loved what Houlier was doing until he got ill, we would have had a great football side by now so Learner was unlucky with that, but now it seems we are getting a team ready to play in lower divisions

Lerner/Lambert/ Faulkner safe … Villa Fans should sacked? What do sackings resolve exactly … The exit to Bradford was a disgrace, which everyone should shoulder the blame for; the players especially, but the management and the board for the decisions leading up to this point. We now want resignations and or sackings But should Lerner listen us again? Lol, we had our banners out for Houllier after Christmas .. mcleish .. well he was just an awful appointment .. but the exact opposite of Houllier's style. if we weren't happy with Houllier surely if lerner and Co listened to us then we got exactly what we didn’t have with Houllier under mcLeish? Now our tune is - Lambert needs to be sacked .. even though the vast majority of us wanted him to come here ( including me) .. all of 8 months into his reign .. I think if he was sacked tomorrow we would be hiring our .. 6th manager in 3 seasons ??? Is that right? How exactly have we progressed after the last few rounds of sackings to justify another round? so we were rubbish 3 seasons ago and flirting with relegation, then Houllier got ill but it didn't matter we wanted him out before that. Then we got McLeish who was not welcomed or liked but i don't think anyone laments his sacking .. yet he did deliver a style and ethos that was different from Houllier, bear in mind Wigan's manager turned us down when we were looking for replacements. Now Lambert needs to get fired according to us again ... A manager who has gambled by alienating the high salary earning senior players to promote our youth and to bring in youth players from lower divisions. Correct me if I am wrong but weren’t a lot of us crying for all the deadwood to be cut last season? If you are good enough you are old enough I heard? And often repeated myself!!! .. Lambert was appointed in the summer and we are where we are after our youth experiment has failed so far. But It would seem like Randy and co listened to us then .. Now the Fans want Lamberts head, should Lerner listen again? Or no we want lerners head too .. now .. investment, good deciscions, bad deciscions and 6 years later .. Yet I can’t help see a parallel with Randy’s decisions and the general fan consensus at the times .. Maybe if we as Villa fans continue to think that sacking someone is the answer and can provide a fix for all our immediate problems and there are plenty of problems .. we should take our own advice. Or just maybe … Just maybe ….. yet another sacking is not the answer … We have rolled the dice again and again .. its time stick .. hell or high water .. cause lets face it guys if someone was interested in buying villa and being a sugar daddy, It would have happened by now … If sacking the manager every year/ 8 months achieved anything .. Barcelona wouldn’t be on top of la liga .. and it would be case of Alex who ..? I don’t have the answers .. I am just a fan .. like you lads (and ladies) I write this .. as a villa Fan .. and I will always be a villa fan .. VTID

I’m pretty sure we would have been fine under Houllier, and have always felt that he was treated harshly by the fans. But I also felt that Lambert would do well for us too. Now, I really don’t know if he is the right man, but we have to stick with him. he wanted the job and the responsibility and he has it. If Lerner were to sack him, the fans would only blame Lerner at a later date. Our problem is how to stay up. we all know we need signings, I’m sure PL is trying to get new signings - but the reality is - no-one of Premier League ability would want to come to Villa we will have to target loan signings until the summer - and bring back Warnock FFS

Lambert wasnt my first choice or even my second or third but compared to what was available then and given this boards previous appoitments I was delighted to get him. As for his transfers the sale of Bentke alone will repay all of the summers transfer fees .So the one player he payed reasonable money for came off but 20 mill was never going to replace the 8 players we let go with any sort of quality it needed more like 60 mill he didnt get it and needed to increase the size of the squad so we could at least field an eleven allowing for injuries.Sack him for poor tactics by all means, but he inherited a bunch of players no one else wanted and added 8 on the cheap and before we do sack him would like to know what makes folk think that De Matteo would come ? Most managers can smell the rot and will steer clear up or down we need whiolesale change of the playing staff including in my opinion 2 of Lamberts signings Bennet unless we turn him into a winger because he cant defend and KEA who is turning into this years Makoun, so no this isnt a defence of Lambert who should have been doing more to move on players in this window and buy a couple of decent quality players.