Vive_La_Villa

Mantis what do you make of positive records like when we scored our highest goals in the Premier League? Are you quick to bring up how much you don't care about records in that scenario? Negative records are mentioned by the media and it's up to the club to ensure they are never broken. We should be striving to beat the positive records. For example I would like to think will never lose 8-0 again in this league.

There has to be more to his new contract. Maybe compensation isn't so high? Doesn't make sense.

You know Lambert will keep us up? I don't, and if we do it will be in spite of him and not because of him. Last season against Palace we were utterly woeful and in free-fall. His tactics were shed and we were soundly beaten by a terrible side. He was out-noused by Pulis. We will never know if staying up is because of him or in spite of him. Unfortunately I don't think we'll find out while Lerner is in charge.

I'm not sure how much another manager would do but I know Lambert will keep us up. The question is are we better than just about staying up? Based on our budget for past 3 seasons I'd say probably not.

I just can't work out who to blame. Is it all down to the manager or are the players just shit? We have players who have shown they can play football. Cleverly was our best player today. Westwood is good on the ball. We sometimes seem far too narrow, players cut inside far too easily. To be fair Everton are a much better team then us. You don't just turn shit after a few bad results the same way you don't become a good team after a few decent results. In many way our season starts again next week.

I just can't work out who to blame. Is it all down to the manager or are the players just shit?

Far Cry 3 is class. I'm one of the laziest people around and I used to wake up early to play it.

This ^^^. Football isn't a statistical game like cricket or NFL. It's baffling how many people fail to under this. There isn't any statistic that means anything in football that I can think of off hand. Yet this doesn't stop sky and commentators everywhere spouting moronic statistics like the head to head performances for the last 12 years or the possession in the last five minutes. As stated above its not the % possession we have in games that's the problem, it's that we continually give the ball back to the opposition in good areas for them and that when we are under pressure we cant keep the ball for a few minutes to take the sting out of the game. I thought that's what the majority of people are saying the problem is. The possession stat just backs up the fact we are unable to keep the ball for any sort of prolonged period. I personally don't care for stats much either but I can understand why people would point to them. In one off games stats can be useless. Over a longer period they will show patterns that affect results. For example we have the lowest shots on target in the league. If this goes on we will continue to drop points. Only so many times you can get the goal you need from one or two attempts.

Thats a good point. How intense must these sessions be for these kind of injuries?

It could also explain why a top 4 side has only won one trophy in the last 9 seasons? Arsenal fans have been spoilt. They were in massive decline before Wenger took over. What id give for Villa to play in the Champions League just once. Never mind every season.

So.... that means he doesn't have to make do, doesn't have to try and improve the squad he already has and can't possibly try to implement a better style? I wonder what financial amount you think we need before he becomes responsible? No manager can plan for transfer budgets or wages as these things are outside their control - tight restrictions or not. You have to plan with what you have and using the former as an excuse means you are only ever treading water till something outside your control changes. Or, in other words, you aren't managing anything. The constant excuse of financial restrictions doesn't wash with me. I'm not expecting miracles - just signs of improvement, of an actual plan in place. I remain in serious doubt that Lambert can or will ever do different than what we currently see. I never said that, I and others are just pointing out the reasons why it may be difficult to improve the style with such limited funds. I think it's pretty obvious that the squad has improved over the last couple of years - we've gone from a midfield of El Ahmadi, Bannan, Ireland, Delph, Herd and Holman to Delph, Westwood, Cleverley and Sanchez. It's not an "excuse", it's an explanation. It's like some people think that there can't be mitigating factors. What are the mitigating factors for not being able to do basic ball retention?

Is there any need to now you and (Donnie) have explained it to us?Yes. Yes there is. I thought tonight was the final episode but the sky listings is incorrect, next week's is. Another incredible episode. Easily the best show on TV right now along with Boardwalk Empire. Haven't watched it yet. Got it recorded. I agree, I'm loving the last series of Boardwalk too.

That's your prerogative and I respect that. I'd quite like to see a topless Kelly Brook playing up front and challenging for headers. Just don't expect either to get you too far. A very similar style of football got us to 6th place for three years on the bounce as well as a cup final with such superstars as Zat Knight, James Collins and Steve Sidwell appearing regularly. No way was MON's style nothing but counter attack. It was very direct but no way was it defensive. We managed our highest goal return in Premier League history. The different was we had a lot more quality players. I agree. I'm just saying, that type of football is one I enjoy. I genuinely have no interest in possession stats. Fair enough. I couldn't care less about possession stats either. What I do hate watching is the team work their ass off pressing to win the ball back to just give it away again a few minutes later. Seems to happen way to often.

Trent I know I keep banging on about it but it is frustrating how much we give the ball away. I don't expect us to play a possession game but I do wish we wouldn't lose possession so easily. I appreciate the last three games have been against far superior opposition but I do think at times the team really doesn't help itself. Hopefully we can get something against Everton and the players can kick on from there.

That's your prerogative and I respect that. I'd quite like to see a topless Kelly Brook playing up front and challenging for headers. Just don't expect either to get you too far. A very similar style of football got us to 6th place for three years on the bounce as well as a cup final with such superstars as Zat Knight, James Collins and Steve Sidwell appearing regularly. No way was MON's style nothing but counter attack. It was very direct but no way was it defensive. We managed our highest goal return in Premier League history. The different was we had a lot more quality players.

To be fair I think when Lambert first took over he tried to adopt a possession style of play. He then soon realised that it would take years to adapt and probably lead to relegation in the mean time such is the quality of our players That's when back to the walls counter attacking came in. It's ugly to watch but I guess it will keep us in the league.

Is there any need to now you and (Donnie) have explained it to us? Yes. Yes there is.

so it would follow then,that if you can't consistently keep the ball, you are not very good?I think that's been the problem for a while. But what I want to know is why can a newly promoted team like Swansea a few years back keep the ball against ANY opposition? Edit: sick of hearing excuse that team we are playing against cost millions of pounds. We're not saying beat them. We're saying do the basics right. Poor example to use. If you know anything about Swansea then you'd know the answer to that. Give me an example of another team and I'll listen. Why poor example? How about Southampton and Everton?

At least wait until we talk about what happens in the final episode How do you cover with the spoiler thing? [ I still can't do it

At least wait until we talk about what happens in the final episode How do you cover with the spoiler thing?

Gonna be all out war in the next episode. Was harsh the way Conte killed the kid though.

Yeah I do. Absolutely mindblowing TV. I've waited for years for something to match the wire and Soprano's. Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire and Games of thrones have come close. Gommorah beats all of those although as it's only one season in. Just wish there was someone to cheer for! Glad I'm not the only one that feels this Love it.

TRO people seem to think we are asking and expecting for Barcelona style possession. I couldn't care less what the stats say. All I want is for the team to be able to pass the ball more than five or six times without either a) giving the ball away, or feeling the need to lump it forward or in to the box. Is that much to ask of a Premier League team?

so it would follow then,that if you can't consistently keep the ball, you are not very good? I think that's been the problem for a while. But what I want to know is why can a newly promoted team like Swansea a few years back keep the ball against ANY opposition? Edit: sick of hearing excuse that team we are playing against cost millions of pounds. We're not saying beat them. We're saying do the basics right.