ciggiesnbeer

Lambert did a good job with the subs today. I am still unsure about his starting formation. It seemed very solid in the past but for some reason today the WBA just walked through it. Interesting to see how he lines up against Sunderland.

Man of the match for me. The only defender who looked like a professional footballer for much of the game.

Nah, just bypass the midfield. Over the top or around it. Job done

No Helenius even on the bench, again?

When he is near the end of his career then perhaps. But I seriously doubt he will be taking a step back career wise any time soon. No disrespect to Celtic but right now they are a less attractive proposition than any Premier League team for a manager.

Seems to me Lambert is playing some mind games for the West Brom game. I like it. Hopefully it wont bite him ,and us, in the arse.

Brilliant player. I am not looking forward to him knocking England out in the Word Cup and celebrating like he loved it. Dont do it to us Kun. I want to keep liking you.

When you say you see the budget, do you mean you actually know what it is?? God no. Just my guess is Lerner allocates 20-25 million per season for transfers.

I just rewatched the Cardiff game (no I dont have anything better to do and yes I did enjoy it) bloody hell his performance was amazing. It was like Lowtons against Sunderland, when you start studying it you really see how great he played. Bacuna was everywhere against Cardiff, impressive.

I feel very confident we will sign someone. I am not ITK at all I just see the budget Lerner has given out every year and this summer Lambert kept a bunch back. If he picks up another Sylla like bargain I will be happy enough.

I still like him. I dont think he failed to beat his man today. Pretty good. His crosses are going from poor to decent.

hah, I came to post this. He is growing into this league. He ran the full 90, was everwhere on the pitch, made many quality passes and had a nice free kick as a topper. Very very good.

I think Swansea play wonderful football but do not have our quality of attackers. I would love to have their midfield mind.

Brilliant. Well we do have 8 players injured/sick now. That is a lot.

I am pleased he has got our defence in better shape. Nice away point today. More improvement over last season.

Villa Trust. Ok thanks. Well I respect confidences must be maintained. Hopefully the club will post if there are any actionable items coming from it.

Any reports on how it went?

I will do it. Keep it tight at the back lads, kick it long to the big man and dont be afraid to have a pop. I can do this football manager lark. Gizza job.

I remain a Tonev fan boy. I think he has that air of a player who is just going to explode into form once he gets going. I have no evidence to point to, just an irrational belief he is going to be massive for us.

Yes. Sadly I think you're right. Thank god some of us can see through Lerner's 'emperor's new clothes' syndrome. I think Lerner has been a very good owner. I am amazed every year how much money he is willing to put into the club. He tried spending his way to the top and it didnt work. Then he tried to control costs and stabilize in the top half, that didnt work. Now he is trying to reset the squad with a new manager and start building again, this time with a younger squad who can grow with the team. TBD whether that will work but it all seems fairly logical and sound to me. I think Lerner has been a decent owner but with the jury still out. Bar the odd push under O'Neill we are at a simliar level than when he bought the club. Yes he has sunk a lot of captial in, did the training ground and has given the ground a lick of paint, but it is hardly what we expected when he took over. The much promised mass marketing of Villa, ambitious signings and a world class kit deal, has just been promises so far. I think he does like the club and has a warmth to it, but at the end of the day it is a business for him and sooner rather than later he will sell out to another bored billionaire. Lerner has done about as well as Kenwright at Everton, who has no money and with a stadium falling apart. Just saying. Good point.

I recognize it mate. In my mind if all Villa had done for the past few transfer windows was buy midfielders I think we would be in a far better place. I think with Lambert it is a philosophy thing. I like to see teams built from the midfield, he likes to see them built from the front (McLeish liked to build from the back). Then again, he is a real football manager and I am a part time fan..... But still, for me midfield is where great teams start.

Yes. Sadly I think you're right. Thank god some of us can see through Lerner's 'emperor's new clothes' syndrome. I think Lerner has been a very good owner. I am amazed every year how much money he is willing to put into the club. He tried spending his way to the top and it didnt work. Then he tried to control costs and stabilize in the top half, that didnt work. Now he is trying to reset the squad with a new manager and start building again, this time with a younger squad who can grow with the team. TBD whether that will work but it all seems fairly logical and sound to me.

9 points off top now. But still, all of the teams up there have shown they are capable of a wobble. We can get up there.