I admit that I am disappointed that Paul Lambert has decided to leave Norwich, especially because I do not think that Aston Villa is the best move for him. He could have done much better than Aston Villa, if he had been prepared to bide his time for the right opportunity. Both Martin O'Neill and Alex McLeish have found out the hard way what life can be like at Villa and they were both hounded out the club in the end. I reckon that this move could turn out to be a disaster for Lambert and before he knows it the fans will be breathing down his neck, from being the golden one at Norwich to villain at Villa! If Holt joins him at Villa like Lambert he will soon find out the hard way that life is not always greener on the other side, look at what happened to Mike Walker when he went to Everton. That said if Lambert and Holt want to leave let them, they are not bigger than Norwich and the club is what is most important. We are in a great position back in the Premiership and could use this negative move as a positive one to take a step forward by appointing a better manager than Lambert with more experience at this level. For example someone like a Benitez or Villa Boas. AVB may have struggled badly at Chelsea but he is young and will be keen to show that he can manage in England. Benitez has already proved what he can achieve in Premiership and Europe. Why just look at managers like Mackay and Hughton, although good I think we should show a bit more ambition and get someone who can take us further forward.
out of interest, what on earth makes you think that rafa benitez or andre villas boas could take us further than malky mackay or chris hughton? is it cos they are big names?
Whatever happens the situation needs to be sorted out ASAP so the club can move on. This can't be doing any good for the rest of the squad.
It is because of their overall experience. Like I said I like both Malky and Hughton, but maybe we should take advantage of the fact that we are in the Premiership and did so well last season and try to appoint someone of a higher standard! Aston Villa are not better than Norwich, we have a large loyal dedicated fan base that turn up every week and there is the opportunity to grow the club by increasing the stadium, provided the Chairman and board are ambitious enough. In the long run we could become bigger than Villa. Also, Alan Curbishley might be another person worth considering, as he did a great job at Charlton and like Norwich are a good family club that would suit him, much better than West Ham did.
Aston Villa are a team in terminal decline. If Martin O'Neill struggled there, what makes you think Lambert would do any better!
as i said on a different thread, they would never work at norwich. our wage structure and limited funds would be just the first stumbling block, along with their own wages, egos etc. none of them are feasible targets. even clubs like west brom are steering clear and they have a bit more wonga than us
Regardless of how much he would cost I'd hate Rafa Benitez to be appointed. Liverpool ended up with a squad full of average foreigners with him in charge.
There's something not right at Villa all of a sudden, they approach champions league under O'neill and invest in young british talent ven paying what some consider a massive premium (Ashley Young). They continue to grow and massively impress then suddenly they sell all their best players except Bent for a lot of money (Milner, Young + Downing) and don't re invest majorly except for N zogbia . O'neill falls out and Mcleish feels he has to play defensive with the team he has, something is just not right at the moment and I hope it doesn't ruin lamberts reputation if it doesn't work out as exceedingly well as it has his 3 years him as I have nothing but the upmost gratitude and respect for the man even after recent incidents. I really feel though a better move would have been a team improving and not just had a terrible season by their standards as the fans may expect him to get them back towards europe instantly. Good luck to him as hopefully he'll develop into a top top manager if he can just get the right team in to give him a hand and he'll definitely be right up there.
I think we just have to accept it. I personally am gutted, and I think the way Lambert has handled it is true to form going on history. It does leave a sour taste in the mouth and maybe Lambert should have done it the way Martinez and Rodgers did instead of kicking up a stink, but he has taken us this far and maybe he felt he needed a new challenge. And I'm a little bitter, I just hope he doesn't fall flat on his face, he's got a hell of a job on his hands there, squad wise. I have a feeling too we could see Holt as Number 9 for the Villa, lets hope if so he's the new Heskey! As for the new man to come in, well...... No top Rafa, Bruce or Lennon for me, I like the idea of Malky, Hughton or Lee Clark. I'm not one for a number 2 to come in and take over. Would rather have a fresh approach to the team, but we need to sort this quick, and I'm thankful that we have Mcnally, he'll see us right.
What you are all forgetting is that Villa might have had a crap team at the end of the season but midway through the season they were sitting comfortably in mid-table. An horrific run of injuries showed up a lack of depth in their squad but their first choice XI would be a decent match for anybody. If we had have lost Holt and Hoolahan to injury we would have been fortunate to escape the trap door! Lambert ought to be able to motivate the players they have into a top ten outfit with modest backing and deep down that's what hurts the most as we all know it could have been us if he had stuck with the task at hand!
