Gus

Position means nothing at this time of the year, I'll look at that come the end of the season. Where it really matters right now is points in the bag, and how many we are clear from those bottom spots...

While £3mil initially sounds like a snip, I still question his drive and ambition to actually play... He moved to City so early in his career for a big pay cheque, when he clearly was not the level of player they wanted/needed. Simply put, is he just more bothered about his celebrity girlfriend and life? (Admittedly I would be pretty distracted if I was with Helen Flanagan). Very much agree, this could be CNZ all over again...

I thought I might be the only crazy one. I think we have a solid enough back four and midfield that on some occassions we could actually have our attacking players attack. We're not so shit that we need this Mcleish defensive mindset (even though we will score far less this season than we did under mcleish) in order to pick up points. You must think lambert has assembled a truly awful squad if we have to have such an all out defensive mindset to just survive in the league. I actually think he's put together a decent one, he's approach to games is just wrong and he's unable to get the best out of players. I really don't think we'd be in a worse position if Bent had played more times for us this season. Lambert again? We are talking about Bent and I disagree. He offers nothing, not worth a spot anywhere. If you are suggesting we could have tried 2 players up top then of course we could. Just not him, not anymore. Without any one to serve it up on plate to him, which we have not had post Downing and Young, it is pointless playing or retaining him. Added to that he has put on some timber and seems disinterested anyway Bang on. Since then he has been a drain on what is already stretched resources and I think we should have worked harder to offload him sooner. As soon as he's gone there's a lot more Lambert has to play around with (on the wage budget) which isn't doing nothing for the team. I just hope he gets it all to spend...

Lennon in, CNZ out to free up the wages - this I would like to see.

Unless Randy changes his evaluation on the value of Aston Villa right now, a sale will not occur in the short term. However, in Tom Fox I actually feel there is potential to help grow the club into a sale-able asset. With the right backing and a bit of investment I think Lambert still has potential as a manager and could take us back to (at least) a solid top half team. Until he has this opportunity, I don't think anyone can really question what he has done - he's kept a 'sinking ship' afloat, better than most could do in similar situations.

They roll a 6-sided dice 3 times, multiply this by the current exchange rate with a Ugandan Dollar, divide by pi and you're there or there abouts.

But Bannan's control of a ball is far, far superior, some of the things he can do from set pieces make him worth a spot in the starting line up.

100% agree, he was brought in pre-Lambert and really doesn't fit with the revolution which he is trying to bring about the club. While he was a grafter and hard worker when he played, too much inconsistency ruined it for him, along with a lack of true quality.

It will be much of a muchness from the team we ended the season with. I can't see Lambert wanting to make giant changes to the starting line up without giving players chance to gel, to get used to the game over here and to really see his new charges in action! Also, after putting his faith in them for most of last season, I don't see him not rewarding them for the hard work they put in and the end result.

Shall we make him a 'sign-da-ting' video? Seemed to work for Arsenal fans with Theo..

More than he deserved after a cracking season! While initially I was thinking that 3 years might be a bit too short and I would prefer to see him penning a 4 or 5 year deal - I can see what Lambert is thinking with these young players and hopefully it will work. Same as with Baker, hopefully its a pat on the back and a bit more in his pocket, while keeping the player's feet on the ground. He's not hit the ceiling yet and can keep on improving (hopefully with us for the long term!). All in all, top stuff and let's hope it gives Benteke something to think about...

Hi everyone, I'm a Villa fan down in London, followed the boys since I was a teenager living in the midlands and still a massive fan a decade on - always have to keep up with all the goings on in B6, so I have been reading the forums for a long time, finally thought I'd get involved and post my opinions as well. Gus