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I've backed him for the whole time he has been at the club, and I really wanted it to work out, but this season is showing me that he has not got what it takes to manage the club properly. Where's the vibrant, high tempo energetic game that he had the Norwich squad playing during his time there? No disrespect to the players he had at Norwich, but he has better players in this squad now! He has claimed that this is the best squad he's had in his time at Villa, yet things are getting worse. I think it's time for a change, but sadly the "custodian" doesn't give a shit anymore and won't do the right thing.

I knew there was a thread for this in here somewhere! I got this game for Christmas and I have to say that I love it. It is by far the most realistic cricket video game I have ever played, and when you bat using the "Pro Mode" camera, it really does feel like you're batting there yourself. Except of course when you get pinned by a rapid opening bowler, it doesn't hurt. I'm into the fifth season of my career game now, and as an opening batsman I have just started to get some consistent scores in all formats of the game, and it feels so rewarding finally getting there. My overall averages are still lest than 16 across al three formats, but this season they're all over 40, so hopefully soon I'll start cranking them up and get contracts over in Australia, and maybe even a call up for England.

16 games? Wow, yeah, he should have been the finished article with that much game time under his belt.

A bit harsh. He recovered well from a serious injury had set him back and then showed some encouraging signs that he might still make the grade. Then he had another horrendous injury and it has taken it's toll.

The formation we play doesn't get the best out of the players we have. Cleverley and Westwood in a 4-4-2 with Gabby and Benteke up front would look like different players in my opinion, instead of the utter non-entities they're both reduced to at present. I agree with your first point, but not with your second. Firstly I think Westwood and Cleverley are too similar. And secondly I think neither are good enough, attacking wise, to succeed unless they're alongside who can do that part of the game instead. I think we'd look a lot better team at the moment if one of Westwood or Cleverley was an attacking midfielder instead. We'd then have Sanchez to defend, Player X to attack and Cleverley/Westwood to link the two together. It works in my head anyway! That's exactly what I have told any United fans who have asked me about Cleverley. He's an engine in the middle of the park that does what he does well. He's an upgrade on Westwood imo, and one should be played but not both. Problem is that Delph is our midfielder with the most forward drive, and he's been out injured.

To me he's a wide midfielder, but sadly he hasn't been played in that position. Back to basics 4-4-2 with N.Zogbia (or Richardson) and Bacuna on either wing and getting balls into the box for Benteke and Gabby (or Weimann) might be the way forward (at home at least), but the manager doesn't seem to want to do that.

Yeah he's a disgrace. One of our disgraces who has earned us points with goals this season. No need to worry though, we've got goals everywhere in this team so they're replaceable. Fwiw I believe both him and Weimann are central strikers, not Inside Forwards or whatever the Football Manager terminology is for them that has been imposed on them for the past few seasons. He has a habit of getting himself into the positions to score goals when he plays through the middle, but he just hasn't played there enough in recent times.

The thing that I don't get with Lambert since he came to Villa is the change in his style of play, or at the very least my perception of it. When he came in I thought he was going to bring a vibrant, quick, energetic style of football, maybe a bit direct but with the pace in our side I thought that he would be able to energise the squad and use the big Villa Park pitch to turn it into a fortress while still being good on the counter away. Sadly it hasn't worked out that way in the slightest, and I am starting to think the job is too big for him. I always said we had to give him three seasons, but I think I might lose patience in January if things continue as they are.

Gabby does frustrate the hell out of me, but I do have a bit of sympathy with him as I believe he tends to get played out of position. For me he's a central striker, who should be right on the opposition centre halves, not coming from deeper. If he's right up top, they know he's quick so they drop deeper, which gives the midfield (and a strike partner, perhaps) a bit more space to play in, and further up the pitch. Imo he should be up top alongside Benteke, and told to stay ahead of the big man at all times, because at least then there's a smidgeon of a chance that someone might actually latch on to one of the many long balls we pump up there for the big man to fight for.

I'm afraid he's right. It still is 75% off @ £8.74. Miles did tweet earlier that it would probably be the last time it's this cheap.

I agree. A very good stadium, top training facilities, a big (and largely loyal) fan base a decent youth academy set up and one of the best playing facilities in the country. All that's missing is the first team playing squad imo.

One can only dream. In my save on FM13 they stayed up on goal difference in one season by winning their final game of the season. I was so gutted when I saw the results had gone their way. Still, I get 20 years into a career on FM every year, and still haven't seen them win the league. Here's hoping that continues (and in real life too)!

This could be absolutely brilliant! Could you just explain the "CTRL + A" thing though, I dont get it?! Sorry! CTRL + A is a shortcut to select all.

Not good enough for top 6, but good enough for lower mid-table, I would say.

I've not played it a huge amount yet, but so far I am finding it more realistic in terms of watching how the game is going and "shouting" to tweaks things and turn it around. I'm top of the Conference North with Workington after about 12 matches, and usually I struggle in my first season!