ozvillafan

That's the excuse for failing to control the finances at the club? The issue was wages to ratio so the owner ignored all the information given to him because the manager was charming? Nope. That is just praisedmambo's opinion. According to the article: MON exit 4 days before the start of the season was a major blow to plans. and Paul (Faulkner) referred to the unpredictability of football – MON exit, which suggests it was MON throwing the toys out of the pram rather than Randy or the club being unreasonable. Indeed it doesn't. Though I'm not sure what they could say about that - perhaps "sorry"? Not sure how that helps us right now, though. Interestingly, they did say this: The club are looking to build success from continuity like ManU/Arsenal model. They are looking to try and build in continuity that can be maintained even if the manager changes, an ethos that runs through. which suggests they have learned from their past mistakes. As you said, it does paint a nicer picture for the future According to the article: Lambert has had £43 million to spend over the last 2 seasons and it is up to him how he spends it. Now questioning the lack of spend in January is very subjective. If you are a "glass half-empty" type of person you could see it as "not backing the manager" or "lacking concern for the club's status". But what sort of club would give their manager a budget and tell them "you can only use 50% now and the rest in January"? Or what sort of budget do you have if it gets thrown out every January for more purchases? I prefer the opposite approach. That is, having been set a budget and the freedom to spend it, the club backed their manager's decisions in the expectation we would not be relegated. If that was the case, then they have been proven correct.

I saw him skin the fullback many times with good control and pace. I think he's alright wide. He fired in some nice ones - a little close to the keeper, mostly. Still, it was his cross that lead (eventually) to our second. I agree. Didn't he play centrally for Lech Poznan?

He has been helped greatly by the additions of Bacuna and Luna, a year's PL experience and the maturing of Clarke and Baker. He's able just to play his game rather than babysit or worry - and his game is actually quite good!

I like him - but he was very poor today. It's no surprise we looked much better when we pushed Bacuna forward and subbed KEA off.

Got it right today: - 4-3-3 with Tonev mostly left, swapped to 4-4-2. So much better than 5-3-2 - Made the correct changes by subbing KEA (who was ineffective), pushing Bacuna forward. - Clean sheet and a win at home. We go again.

I actually thought he was quite good today - especially compared with this nightmare debut. Had a big hand in the few opportunities we had in the first half and contributed to our second goal. Certainly room for improvement - but he's showing promise.

Interesting to hear different views on the game. Here's mine: Positives: - 3 points - A win at home - Another clean sheet - A more aggressive formation - Kozak and Tonev in their best games so far (with plenty more to come, imo) - Despite little possession and a bit-part team (thanks to injuries), created the better chances and deserved the win - We can and will play better - Substitution of Lowton for KEA spot on. Negatives: - I love KEA, but - boy - he was awful today. Unsurprising that we looked much better once he departed. MOTM: Tonev Thought he was 100% improved on his earlier efforts for us so far. Gave us width and pace, played some nice football and was our best outlet.

This is key. Our other midfielders tend to look for the pass - but when at least half of our outfield are behind them in a 5-3-2 formation, picking a forward pass isn't easy. This is where we need Delph to carry the ball forward and help make some numbers. Against West Ham, we looked very good when we got people forward - we just didn't do it enough since our back 5 sat very deep. The last pass/option from Delph is still lacking, imo, but at least he puts the defense in 2 minds.

You didn't. Settle down - I'm very much like you when it comes to Randy. The owners on that list make him look like he's heaven sent by comparison, that's all.

Here's a good list - but that doesn't mean Randy is above criticism. Back on Topic. I really, really hate this 5-3-2 we are playing. Is that Lambert's perferred system? McLeish would be buried for doing the same.

Bionic legs for Gardener and growth serum for Grealish.

He does more than that He can do more than that - but he showed nothing else yesterday.

Somewhat forced by injuries I'd say, had Delph been available we might have played 4 at the back, Bacuna at RB and Baker at left back and Lowton on the bench. Still 3 CBs isn't a priori the wrong choice with them having 6 in midfield effectively, it meant we had 5 in that area when Bacuna and Lowton moved forward. Agreed - except they rarely moved forward. At one stage there in the first half I saw all 5 back marking only Noble. Should always be 4 at the back as that gives you the most stability/flexibility. Never 3 or 5.

Thought he started well and pressed at every opportunity. Needed substituting halfway through the second as he was chasing shadows, dropping off and creating nothing.

He crosses well. And that's it.

Opportunity missed here. Playing 5-3-2 against a side that struggles to win at home and had no striker is criminal.

This one is all on Lambert. Yes, we had some injuries - but you don't go 5-3-2 against a side that struggles to win at home and had no proper striker. Waaaay too deep and too defensive. We looked good on the very few occasions we got forward. Opportunity missed.

I noticed something in his game vs Everton that I have not noticed before: He drops off defensively. That is, he doesn't stick with his opposite number. He drops 10 yards and gives space to see what they are going to do. If they pass, he then doesn't track that player, he just drops to a zonally defensive position. I don't think that helps the defensive pairing behind him. It simply gives the opposition the time to consider their next pass. I'd prefer a DM that man-marks - like Delph, who will harry his target and not give him a moments peace. Am I imagining this? Was this simply because Everton had more bodies in midfield? Or is this his usual habit?

Benteke blew 2 chances, Wieman 1 and Gabby 1. Realistically, we *should* have scored all 4. You can't do that and expect to win games. Clark moving across and leaving Lukaku for Osman who was already surrounded by 4 Villa shirts was criminal. That said, much better than some of the dross I have seen so far this year - but we gotta find some form. No goals in 3 games now.

Was listening to Bosnich the other day (he's a pundit now) talking about Joe Hart after Man City's loss to us. He mentioned that when a team is playing a bit off or the defence is having a bad day, that's when you need your GK to step up and give you a chance of at least winning a point and providing some confidence and encouragement to the team that they can still turn it around. (And, obviously, Man City don't have this). So happy we have Guzan!

I'm not seeing the problem. Honestly, I'm not. That's not to say our football is great - it isn't - but we are clearly still a work in progress. We added more new faces this year, all young and inexperienced. Some are still finding their feet (Tonev, Kozak), some have been thrown straight in (Luna, Bacuna), and some are injured (Okore). It will take some time for them to gel. What we should expect is some progress - and we are seeing that. We are defending better (Vlaar, Clarke much improved), some players individual performance is improving (Delph, KEA, Vlaar, Clarke) and we are picking up results while being generally competitive (compared to being hammered at times last season) in a tough and disjointed start to the season. Yes, Lambert has had to work to a budget - but, then, most managers do. He is still shipping out the old and bringing in cover/competition. He should be in a position this summer where he can get rid of the last of the dross and add the 1 or 2 players that will improve us (like a CAM/Winger) and the progress should continue. I had hoped that we would see more of an improvement, as I believe the turmoil at the top of the table is an opportunity we may not get next season, but I'm not disappointed with our performances so far. We will get better.

Out of curiosity - is "left" in this instance towards the Holte End?

So what you're saying is you want a World Cup..... ... that doesn't represent the entire world?

There is a case for Webber using his tyres up quicker, as he weighs in almost 5kg heavier than Vettel. Still, he did question the 3 pit strategy while still in the race, knowing that while it didn't take him out of contention - it certainly did help Vettel a great deal.

I always justified Young's diving for us since - being our main threat - he was almost always double-teamed. That, and during his best years for us the defenders did try to kick lumps out of him to stop him. Better to go to ground than end up on the injured list. United don't have the limitation in attack like we did, so Young's diving is harder to justify for them.