I have read this entire thread and feel that you are all missing the point. This is nothing to do with loyalty, money in the game or the character of an ex- employee it is to do with Employment Law and whether we like it or not Football Clubs in general and NCFC in particular are not above the Law. Leaks seem to suggest that the only reason Lambert stuck to a 1 year rolling contract was because it contained a clause giving him the automatic right to talk to a bigger club if City were approached for his services. If, and I repeat IF, that is the case then there was a breach of contract if he was refused permission to speak to Villa. It is irrelevent whether City wanted time to get our Chairman back first - permission should have been granted.
When Lambert left Colchester he had no such contact wording so was unable to plead breach of contract or constructive dismissal and, of course, we were forced to pay compensation to Colchester. In this case City are pursuing Villa for compensation and they are refusing to pay because Lambert was a free agent having resigned or been constructively dismissed. Obviously some legal bod, probably at the LMA, has pointed out that if it is the latter then Lambert is entitled to compensation. All Lambert is doing therefore is what any of us would do if legal action had been raised against us and we felt we were not at fault - raise a counter claim. What is more interesting is that if ( and I repeat IF ) Villa and Lambert win we will have to pay compensation and legal costs instead of getting £2m in compensation ourselves had we immediately agreed to the approach of Villa. Where would that leave the position of the person who made the decision to withold consent? Another vacancy at Carrow Road?
None of us know the exact facts and surely have to await the outcome of the process before apportioning blame and hurling insults at individuals.