Cambridge_Yellow

Good debate this Revolution. Refreshing to not see the usual insult chucking you get on some forums. I would still stand by the point that we don't know if McNally really lost or not. As I said he knew Lambert wanted to go so that was always going to be the case. Alex Ferguson was the best manager in the business but ultimately even he couldn't keep Cristanio Ronaldo when the lad wanted out. So I don't see it as a "loss" on McNally's part. His job was to react to the situation and get the best price he possible price he could for him and to get a solid replacement in. As I have said the financial package we don't know about so who knows whether his hardball tactics worked there or not. He certainly did get a solid replacement in. My evidence is that we finished in a higher position than last year. But clearly we are going to have to agree to disagree on that one which is fair enough. As for who I would rather was managing us I am actually going to say Hughton. My reasoning for this is that Hughton is a safe pair of hands who I think will be at Norwich for a long time and could build a strong legacy here establishing us a Premier League team for a decent stretch. I can't see him being poached by a bigger club as I don't think he has the high profile that clubs higher up the food chain are looking for. So I think Norwich and Hughton are potentially an excellent fit for each other. We were not particularly attractive last year but he appreciated that being gung ho was not a sustainable tactic and began to build us from the back. We have a very solid base to work on for this year. He is also very shrewd in the transfer market possessing a good knowledge of both the European and Domestic market (the statistics from last year shows that Norwich gained the most points per £ spent in the Premiership last season). Lambert has the potential to go right to the very top of the game as a manager. Of that I have no doubt. I love his coaching and his methods. Following Norwich during his reign was a footballing education at times and made me realise how little I actually understand about a game I devote so much of my time to following The problem is of course that the way English football has become Lambert will not feel Villa is necessary the ceiling of his ambitions and will look to move on when the time comes. With all due respect for Villa's history and tradition the way the modern game is Villa don't really have a prayer of Champions League football unless some oil baron starts bankrolling the club. So you may be left as club to pick up the pieces and move on if he does decide to leave. But as shown by Villa's struggles since O'Neill's departure it isn't easy (I am not saying for a second O'Neill was the messiah- he overspent and then ran off crying like spoilt child when he couldn't have more but that's for another thread). Back in your court Mr Revolution.

I like to think I am balanced about these things. We all know how these tribunals systems work. I personally think that an up front transfer fee of around £400/500k with some with add ons taking the deal up to around £1 million or so if he performs would be par for the course. He has got a lot of potential but ultimately he has played a handful of senior games for Norwich so it is just that at the moment - potential. John Bostock for instance was meant to be the next big thing when Spurs thought they had fleeced Palace at tribunal. But as things have transpired Palace got the best of the deal. Hence why it is unrealistic to be demanding millions for Steer. It just doesn't make sense. I will be very interested to see where this leaves Shay Given. I presume Steer has come to be Number 2 keeper and place serious pressure on Guzan. Otherwise he is no better off than he was at Norwich (except perhaps financially). As an outsider looking in Given may well be drawing around £2 million a year out of Villa for the next 3 years for contributing absolutely nothing. As for McNally I can see why he grates on Villa fans after a while. Some of his twitter comments can be confrontational and perhaps even come across as bitter. Opinions will differ on how he handled the whole Lambert affair. I don't think anyone can say he "won" or "lost" that particular fight. Ultimately once a manager or player decides he wants to go then that is it and no one knows exactly what the financial settlement was. Personally I haven't got a bad word to say about him. As a fan I am delighted to see someone who is actively coming out in public and fighting my club's corner. We were an absolute shambles when he took the CEO role. He has shaken the club up from top to bottom and has played a massive hand in making us a debt free Premiership Club. That is a job well done by anyone's standards. Not sure how you arrived at the conclusion that no one can say whether `McNasty` won or lost over the Lambert affair? He clearly lost................................Big Time!............................(IMO) Apologies I don't want to hijack this thread. Should be about a very promising young keeper you have signed rather than something which happened a year ago. But I think ultimately I don't think he "lost" if that is the right word. Ultimately Lambert had decided he was off. As you have found with Milner, Downing and Young etc once that happens there is very little you can do about it. It doesn't matter how good you are as a manager or CEO. So it is about getting the best price possible for him (something which to the best of my knowledge is not in the public domain). So I don't really know how you can judge the outcome. The only other way you can potentially judge who "won" is the league position. But again is that a fair assessment? Not really for me. Lambert inherited a complete rabble of a squad and has done very well to improve it. Hughton also did well to carry on where Lambert left off and avoid the second season issues which some newly promoted side have. I don't think anyone (apart from the odd moron) from Norwich is getting delusions of grandeur as some on this thread have said. In the grand scheme of things Norwich are a relatively small club. We have a 27,000 stadium and have won no significant honours in our history. But there is a lot of potential here. There is no reason why the club can't attract 30,000 crowds and compete regularly in the Premiership. So I applaud McNally for fighting the club's corner as I do think we've sold ourselves short over the years. I like Villa as a club and I enjoyed visiting Villa park as an away supporter last year. It was a good game and the supporters were welcoming. I take an interest in Lambert still because we will always be indebted to him for what he achieved at Norwich and I feel your and your paths will continue to cross while both are in the same league and Lambert is at the helm. The signing of Steer and the coaches goes to show this.

I like to think I am balanced about these things. We all know how these tribunals systems work. I personally think that an up front transfer fee of around £400/500k with some with add ons taking the deal up to around £1 million or so if he performs would be par for the course. He has got a lot of potential but ultimately he has played a handful of senior games for Norwich so it is just that at the moment - potential. John Bostock for instance was meant to be the next big thing when Spurs thought they had fleeced Palace at tribunal. But as things have transpired Palace got the best of the deal. Hence why it is unrealistic to be demanding millions for Steer. It just doesn't make sense. I will be very interested to see where this leaves Shay Given. I presume Steer has come to be Number 2 keeper and place serious pressure on Guzan. Otherwise he is no better off than he was at Norwich (except perhaps financially). As an outsider looking in Given may well be drawing around £2 million a year out of Villa for the next 3 years for contributing absolutely nothing. As for McNally I can see why he grates on Villa fans after a while. Some of his twitter comments can be confrontational and perhaps even come across as bitter. Opinions will differ on how he handled the whole Lambert affair. I don't think anyone can say he "won" or "lost" that particular fight. Ultimately once a manager or player decides he wants to go then that is it and no one knows exactly what the financial settlement was. Personally I haven't got a bad word to say about him. As a fan I am delighted to see someone who is actively coming out in public and fighting my club's corner. We were an absolute shambles when he took the CEO role. He has shaken the club up from top to bottom and has played a massive hand in making us a debt free Premiership Club. That is a job well done by anyone's standards.

Norwich fan here. I am very disappointed that we've lost Jed Steer. We have produced a lot of youth goalkeepers who have won international honours at youth level. Steer was regarded as being the cream of the crop. He is young, still physically needs to fill out a bit, needs matches but he is one hell of a prospect. For any Villa fan criticising this signing. Step back and ask yourself. Who would you rather have in your squad? One of the most promising young keepers in the country or Andy Marshall? Its a no brainer.

Norwich City fan here. I still follow his progress because I do want him to do well after everything he achieved for us. I think some of the reactions on here are very extreme but I can understand them. The situation is precarious particularly when you factor in losing to lower league opposition twice in a week. But you have to look at the situation rationally and logically. Even if you sacked Lambert right now there are only 5 days left in the transfer window. That isn't even remotely enough time for a new manager to come in, assess the squad and then make some new signings. Whatever you think the rights or wrongs are about the experience/balance of the squad that is what you are playing the rest of the season with. They have to get you out this mess and the person most likely to get the best from them is the person who has signed them and invested a lot of faith in them. A new manager at this stage would create all kinds of doubt at a time when they need someone who they know will keep believing in them and give them leadership. It is also important to take a long term view. As a Norwich fan I have been here far too often. Between about 2006-2009 we were constantly fire fighting relegation from the Championship by changing managers. It isn't a viable long term strategy and really damages your club after a while. It is very expensive and leads to a high turnover of players who are unable to form an kind of identity or cohesive unit. That is why it is important to look at the actual viable alternatives before calling for Lambert's head. You don't want some journeyman manager who is going to leave you in exactly same position 12 months down the line. All you have effectively done is wasted more time and money. It is also important to remember the circumstances and perameters Lambert is working in. The budget has been slashed and the ridiculous wages of the O'Neill era are long gone. This means the only way around it is to box clever and buy young players who will appreciate in value. He has got a track record for doing this that very managers can match. He has made some good signings too. I have enjoyed watching the likes of Lowton, Westwood and Benteke when I have seen them. They look like players of great promise to me. While admittedly other players like Joe Bennett have really struggled. But very few managers get all their signings right. If Randy Lerner is to remain in charge of the club this strategy is the best chance Villa have of remaining competitive in the Premier League. Lambert is doing the right thing for me even if the results aren't forthcoming at the moment. I think it is also harsh to criticise some of his press conferences. I know the stock phrases become horribly predictable after a while but that is actually a good thing. He hasn't turned on his players in public which is why I don't think he will ever lose a dressing room. Strong words will be said in the dressing room and behind closed doors to the players but that is exactly how it should be. If you weren't covering yourself in glory at work the last thing you would want is a very public humiliation in front of everyone. That would make you feel incredibly small and you would really resent it. That is the art of man management. I still believe given his achievements so far, his grounding in the game and his pedigree as a player that he has the ability to be one of the best managers in Europe. This season is going to be painful and its going to be very tough for you. However if you survive it you will reap the rewards for years to come. Just remember how close David Moyes came to taking Everton down in his second season and look where they are now. Lambert can do the same for you in my opinion. OTBC

Norwich City fan here. I still take an interest in how Lambo gets on because he did so much for us. Obviously today is an embarrassing one and it is very tough to swallow. But in many ways Lambert's attitude to this game summed up why I hold in such high esteem as a manager. He will always attempt to win the game no matter what the opposition or situation. That is something to be applauded. Wins are the currency of any division and will ultimately move you up the league rather than dogged, determined draws. It does mean that for every stunning away victory you get (Liverpool for you and Spurs for us) there may be the odd game you get annihilated trying to chase the game (yours was Chelsea and ours was Man City last year). However I think most rational supporters will accept this downside because it does give you the potential to collect more points. Think of the number of late points he won for Norwich through his positive intent. I have no doubt the same will happen at Villa. The key thing for Villa supporters is to remain level headed and rational. The club is moving in the right direction. The performances against Norwich and Liverpool in recent weeks were excellent. However young players will have peaks and troughs in performance. Villa weren't the finished article after those games but conversely they are now not the worst side ever by virtue of this result either. There is some excellent talent at the club. Christian Benteke looks a top class striker in the making, Ashley Westwood looks a natural at this level and Matthew Lowton looks very good as well to me. If you stick with a young side still in transition, the rewards will come. David Moyes had some difficulties day early on in his tenure as Everton manager. There is no reason that Paul Lambert cannot achieve the same with Villa if given time.

I am not surprised by what I have seen from your lot in recent weeks. He is a very special manager. Luckily we seem to have found another one to replace him. Happy days all round.

He chopped Bennett down for his first booking. He then tugged him back in full view of the linesman for the second one. There was absolutely nothing unfair about that in my opinion. But I suspect we will have to agree to disagree. I don't want to turn this thread away from the main topic which is Paul Lambert. As I have stated previously. The guy has the potential to be a top, top manager. It wasn't nice how he left us but if you support him and allow him to carry out his long term vision. You will funnily enough get long term success. If he hounded out for Harry Redknapp that is an act of footballing vandalism in my opinion.

I wouldn't get too hung up about officiating. The reality is that if an incident happens at Eastlands with nearly 50,000 people appealing for it, the referee is going to naturally be more inclined to give the decision in favour of the home team. It is just human nature and you have to an incredibly strong individual not be swayed by that. You were on the end of a rough one there but equally you were the beneficiaries of two pretty generous pieces of officiating against Norwich where Elliott Bennett was fouled in front of the Holte End and Chris Herd was remarkably fortunate not to receive a second yellow card. Its an old cliche but they do have a knack of evening themselves out.

Defending has indeed never been Lambert's strong suit. But you start to see the advantages of his attacking mindset in the coming weeks. Last season when he was our manager we had a fantastic record of picking off teams around us. I believe that a significant reason for this was our positive approach. Often the opposition were expecting and preparing for the game to be a very cagey affair because the stakes were high. Instead they were up against a team full of attacking intent.

Norwich fan here. I last posted on here directly after the game between ourselves and Villa. I accept that you are alarmed because you are in the relegation zone. But you have had a very difficult run of fixtures. It was always a distinct possibility that you were going to be in the relegation zone by the end of November given the calibre of opposition you were up against. But the good news is that nothing is cut and dried in November. It is about what happens in May that is important. I think you are starting to get there and in general the performances look like they are on an upward curve. The results I believe will follow for you just like they have for us. Just over a month ago I would imagine we were favourites to finish dead last. But we were getting used to a new manager with different ideas. We look like we have really turned the corner since beating Arsenal. There is no reason you cannot do the same against them on Saturday. Calling for Harry Redknapp to replace Paul Lambert is very premature and shot sighted. A lot of money will chucked at older players. The best case scenario being that you temporarily survive but effectively be back in the same position a couple years down the line with an expensive squad that is no longer fit for purpose. The worst case scenario being relegation with an expensively assembled squad. Redknapp has form for this with Southampton so it should not be dismissed as a distinct possibility. There is a clear vision and plan in what Lambert is trying to do. It represents your best chance of breaking the current malaise you find your club in. If you keep your nerve and stick with him I am convinced Villa will reap the benefits for a long time to come. However it was never going to happen overnight.

That is the other thing you will appreciate over time. His press conferences may sound utterly boring and you can predict what will be said after you've heard them twice. However they are actually masterful. He is able to say a lot without actually saying anything. He never criticises the team or any individuals in public. Which is why ultimately I don't think he will ever lose a dressing room. The whole thing is a front. How he goes about his business behind the scenes is a totally different scenario.

Norwich fan here. I went to the game on Saturday so I thought I would chip in with my two cents. I can understand why you are concerned because it is your worst start for 43 years. But when Lambert was in charge of us we actually started very slowly as well. We drew 0-0 with Walsall (still the worst game of professional football I have ever seen), got outmuscled in a 2-1 defeat by MK Dons and were exceptionally fortunate to burgle late draws against Gillngham and Charlton. But ultimately it was the start of something. He was able to give every player in the squad a chance to show whether they were capable of doing a job at first team level. Some previously unheralded players responded brilliantly and became fixtures in the side. I also wouldn't be too concerned about his attitude towards senior professionals. Originally Wes Hoolahan was excluded altogether from the squad and was later reintroduced. If a player is good enough and has the right attitude they will play matches under him. We also at least started to look like a vaguely organised team during those games as well. Which I felt Villa did on Saturday. You will notice that with 10 men you were very disciplined. You didn't chase the ball like headless chickens. You stayed in formation and shape making it very difficult for Norwich to break through. This isn't going to happen overnight for you guys. The team has been in decline for a couple of years and money is scarce. For where your club is at the moment now in terms of limited finance and investment, Lambert represents the best option around of you arresting this slide. Don't simply write off his signings as lower league players who aren't good enough. Every player has to start somewhere. The likes of Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines, Darren Bent and many others all started life as football league players. I thought in particular Matthew Lowton looked a player of good promise and Joe Bennett has had very good reviews for Middlesborough despite being rocky for you at the weekend. Lambert is giving the club a clear direction which is to inject a core of young, hungry players back into a lop sided and ageing squad. You have already suffered numerous times from chopping and changing since O'Neill left. Now is the time to stay strong and back your manager. Who for me is one of the most exciting prospects in Europe. I also don't think you can judge him tactically yet either. Your squad is paper thin (like ours was) when he took over. As things develop over time and he is able to acquire more players he will be able to play different systems. To start with we were very one dimensional relying on the diamond but as our player base expanded we are now able to playing 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and the diamond system all with great success. I think we may even have attempted to play 3-5-2 this season had he stayed with his German influences to coaching. The best thing you can do is support a young manager and young team through a difficult settling in period. I think he has the capability to do for you what Moyes has done for Everton in the long term.