DCJonah

I'm still hoping its in some way linked to the takeover and that's the reason for the delay.

He's "worth" what someone is prepared to pay for him.

The VillaTalk Soviet Collectivist Price Fixing Committee is at it again, I see, criticising other clubs for paying fees to buy players that aren't "worth it".

I suppose it helps to deflect attention away from the fact that we are scratching around in the dirt and can't afford to pay anything for anyone.

Good post.

If hull can afford him and he keeps them in the premier league getting huge amounts of money then surely he's worth it.

Definitely our worst in the Premier League era.

I nominate DOL and AM before Lambert. I really do think this is the worst time to manage the club in the Premiership, given the obvious ownership issues and lack of investment. Lambert has fulfilled his remit to keep the club up and alter the wage bill.

I do believe Lambert wants to get us back up the table but is really restricted by Lerner, any manager would be to be honest. For his own career it would have been better for him to walk at the end of last season. It is time to get behind him and the boys this year, it could be a really tough year, maybe the toughest yet.

It'll be tougher than it needs to be because Lambert is such a very poor manager. Although he isn't the architect of our misfortune, he's added to it by performing so dismally.

Yeah I'd have to agree. He's not the cause of our issues but his mistakes have added to it and he's poor performances are doing little to rectify mistakes from the owner.

Regardless of the leagues he managed in, consecutive promotions up to the PL after losing the opening game 7-1 is no fluke.

He's not the best manager we've ever had but he's not the worst either. Very average job which has kept us in the league in times of footballing hardship.

Things could be much, much worse.

Toss up between Lambert and McNeill for the worst I can remember.

And clearly what you can remember is our entire history?

Anything you can't remember you can research and I believe lambert's record is up there with the worst in some areas.

I wouldn't say far from the worst. His record is up there with the worst. He's had a difficult situation to manage in but so far he's performed very poorly.

I wonder if any team will spend less than us on transfer fees this window? If we're not taken over then I can't see it.

I think That could depend on who/ if we sell any players of value

We only have 2 players of any value this window. Even selling them I think we'd still spend a lot less than most teams.

I wonder if any team will spend less than us on transfer fees this window? If we're not taken over then I can't see it.

but long term have probably made some decent moves,

It would be nice to have an owner who had a plan and thought long term.

Haha that's one thing.

If truth be told I'd eat a birds shit if she was fit.

This made me laugh lots but then suddenly stop as I thought 'what if he's serious?'

Looks like he's coming then. I'm not sure what impact he can have. Like with most things at the moment I'm sure its only short term thinking. Hopefully he can add something our manager lacks.

In our current position I think we are better off with Lamber than without. I would like to see what he could do with better money. However, my worry is his tactical inpetitude and awful football. Maybe that would improve with better personnel? Am I clutching?

I'm not even sure he would do much better with more money. I don't think he's able to get the best out of the squad he has. While more money will allow the chance to sign better players I don't think his tactical decisions and his approach to the game will allow better quality to have a big impact on the team.

Something like that… rather too much 2+2= conspiracy stuff really.

As for his number and not being in Lambert's plans, he was always likely to be out for all if not almost all the season so it is hardly surprising.

I've not known many examples of a player being given such a high squad number because of an injury. Gardner and delph for example were never given numbers in the 40's when injured long term.

I don't think nzogbia was wanted but the continued restrictions and poor squad quality mean the manager will have to change his mind now.

It's very worrying that we aren't making much of an effort towards one of our most promising youth prospects in years when he has 12 months left on his deal.

I appreciate Lerner wants to sell the club but surely these are the kind of deals we should be putting a lot of effort into.

I'd rather get grealish signed up that sign senderos or Cole. We seem to have our priorities all messed up at the moment.

No long term thinking just short term thinking while we're waiting to be sold.

Even if fit I'm not sure how much Lambert was going to use him. His squad number clearly showed how he was viewed.

Really hope he signs a new deal.

I don't think vlaar is close to the levels mellberg and laursen performed at.

Seems strange for it not too happen yet. Like others I'm clinging to some hope that the delay is takeover related.

Watched the new x-men and really enjoyed it but one thing is bugging me.

professor x died in the 3rd movie so how was he there in the future version?

I am a bit concerned by our desperation for Randy to leave that we are almost willing to accept anyone.

This Harris and Blitzer fella have poor records with the clubs their own. Both have huge losing streaks... Not sure if I want these guys.

How long have they had their other sports clubs? I don't know much about them so could it be that they've not had enough time to implement proper plans?

That Birmingham mail article seems like a copy of the previous one that mentioned the two americans

Simply not true. Villa fans place players into a "shit" or "not shit" bucket early in their career and then view every incident that happens on the field through the lens of what bucket the player had been placed in.

If you need a great example, look at how KEA has been treated on here despite being solid most of last season.

But this is the problem. You rate KEA and the performances he puts in so you've decided people who don't must have some predetermined idea about him and refuse to change.

With regards to senderos will I be quicker to get on him than others? If I'm being brutally honest then I guess I will. I can't see myself being as patient with him as I will be with grealish for example. This isn't based on me hating the player it's more to do with I know what he's about and him signing for us doesn't make all that went before meaningless in how I judge him.

I'd love to say that next year I'll be cheering and chanting all the time for anyone who wears the shirt, and while I'm sure claiming that on here will get me brownie points I know its not the truth.

After the last few years I know I'll probably lose my temper quicker with some players than others, and I'll know I'll get frustrated quicker than in previous years as a season ticket holder.

Again this isn't because I've already decided which players I like and which I don't it will be more to do with just uncontrollable emotions during a game and a case of getting pretty fed up with watching poor players.

I know its a nice dream to picture 45,000 people cheering and chanting no matter what but i don't think it's realistic for any club.

I guess my point is that I don't think you can really blame people if they do lose patience with the likes of senderos if he performs poorly.

So they go to buy charlton for 18million and withdraw their offer and then a year later try and buy villa for 150-200 million.

Doesn't add up to me.

Right now I'd take Ken Bates!

It sounds like they look for the right investment. They clearly have a lot of money so I don't think we can read much into their approach of Charlton and possible purchase of us.

Sounds promising with the two American names. They sound like the kind of owners we need.

On a side note anyone else think its terrible that Lerner won't sanction new deals? I think its bad enough the position he's put us in but to then risk losing key players for no money 12 months down the line just adds a bit of an insult to it all.

A good post mark. I really don't think we can just use lack of funds to explain the poor form of last season. The manager was not able to use his squad effectively.