I think next season will be Lambert's biggest challenge to date on a personal level for him as a manager. He's quietly built a strong reputation but he (like us) now needs to go on to the next level. He'll have a bit more money available, and players will be more willing to come to us, so he'll have to make some big choices. If he gets them right, he might even break through the glass ceiling that seems to stop young British managers at the moment. If he gets them wrong, he'll join that list of managers who fade after a good start (Coyle?) and form a little group who will get employed by struggling Premiership teams but will never be considered by the big boys.
Since I suspect he really is something special, and he is also very ambitious, and since at the moment I think he can add to his reputation by staying with us and taking us further, I'm optimistic. Not one of his signings has disappointed, and if he can pick them as wisely at a slightly higher level, we really are a club which is going places.
Since I suspect he really is something special, and he is also very ambitious, and since at the moment I think he can add to his reputation by staying with us and taking us further, I'm optimistic. Not one of his signings has disappointed, and if he can pick them as wisely at a slightly higher level, we really are a club which is going places.

