Copey11

Stan arrived at the club at the same time I was chosen to support the Villa, and quickly became my favorite player. After a time of settling in, he became a rock and a leader, and affirmed to me that I indeed was part of a special club. That settling in period, as referenced by many above, says a lot about Stan and the person, leader, and competitor he is. He never gave up, never put his head down, and kept fighting, all attributes that have and will continue to serve him well. All the best Stan, thanks for great example you set, and for helping me fall in love with Aston Villa. #19

leaving the office early, off to the pub in NYC, nervous as hell. C'mon boys!!!!!! UTV

Has looked better recently, and coincidently when he doesn't have Clark next to him. On the flip side, Lowton has looked worse since Clark has been on the right. Hmmmmm.

    I think you are right, but with one change: Westwood and Benteke, who weren't really around when Nzog was running into cul de sacs. I think he is getting the ball from Westwood in a little more space, and Benteke is providing hold up play as well as dropping deep enough to occupy some defenders. I think Charles has more options to run with the ball or play 1-2 with Benteke. I also think he likes playing with Benteke (I believe they have become good friends, or so I read on here) as it almost seems he is looking to pass to the big man, even when I think he should have carried on with the ball. When is the last time Charles made a pass he didn't have to?

what I like most is how each and every corner he is shouting, pointing, and directing everyone as if he said "screw it, I am taking charge", and then backing it up by coming so bravely after every ball in the box. Just what we need in this fight.

laughter is always the best medicine, so I turn to Jack Donaghy of 30 Rock for life lessons. “I believe that when you have a problem, you talk it over with your priest, or your tailor, or the mute elevator porter at your men’s club. Then you take that problem and you crush it with your mind vice. But for lesser beings, like curly haired men and people who need glasses, therapy can help.” "The Italians have a saying, Lemon: 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' And, although they've never won a war or mass-produced a decent car, in this area they are correct." or, the incomparable Tracy Jordan from the same show: "I believe that the moon does not exist. I believe that vampires are the world’s greatest golfers but their curse is they never get a chance to prove it. I believe that there are 31 letters in the white alphabet. Wait… what was the question?”

last chance saloon for NZog. The formation(s) we have been playing for the last month suit him perfectly and if he can't make an impact now, he never will. Hope he comes good because his skill set, albeit gone missing for a season and a half, is set up pefectly to play in Gabby/Weimann/Holman role, especially against sides where we will have a lot of the ball and need to break them down. Holman/Gabby/Weimann are great at tracking back, and on the counter, but are weaker when a bit of skill, beating a man, threading a pass are necessary. Good luck to him.

Big John, I don't know if your question was in response to my post, but I actually I agree with you and think that is what Lambert is doing. I think what he values above all else is options to play any formation he chooses based on his squad form and the opponent. So therefore, I think he is looking to increase the quality of the midfield, and even the attacking options (currently Gabby, Weimann, Holman, Ireland) in a 4231, so that he can comfortably play multiple formations. I don't think he is comfortable yet, so he continues to try different partnerings but maintain more in midfield as it is our main area of weakness. So I think he will keep Bent and bring in quality, it just won't be solely "442 quality" geared only to accomodate Bent, but rather versatile so that Bent is an option. The question is will Bent a) force himself out before that plan is completed or be open to that plan going forward, where he isn't necessarily the first name on the teamsheet.

I think Lambert wants to keep Bent, but can't use him RIGHT NOW. I think Lambert is trying to sort out the midfield, hence all the tinkering there, to be more consistent, to keep more possession, and generate more chances. But at the moment we just aren't that consistent and he is reluctant to take a body out of there to accomodate a 442 with Bent up front with a partner, either Benteke or Gabby. I think Lambert feels that is the only formation in which Bent can be effective RIGHT NOW, and his references to Southampton match seems to me to say not that he can't play Bent, but he can't play 442 right now. I suspect we will see some reinforcements in midfield, or perhaps some more consistency as the players gain experience and comfort in the system, and that will allow us to play 442, especially against lower table teams where we might get more of the ball. We just can't count on getting that possession consistently right now. Now I have no idea whether Bent is acting out because of this, I assume he's not happy because players want to play, and believe they can fit in any system, and Bent has played in different formations. But I think this is about what Lambert perceives as Bent's strengths, and his hesitation to take a player out of the midfield. When Bent hasn't made the bench I figure Bowery is as close to like for like with Benteke, Lambert assumed we wouldn't get as much of the ball and therefore didn't use Bent. I don't necessarily agree with it, as you never know how the games will progress, but if he doesn't envision using a 442, he doesn't use Bent.

One of our subs had only one leg, or worse, all of our subs had only one leg? No wonder we are getting these guys on the cheap. I don't like this cost cutting policy. Lambert out, Lerner out.

100% agree with this post, and I think Lambert does too. Gabby and Weimann are good center forwards with strengths of their own, but I think Lambert wants more skillful playmakers and/or players that can take on a defender in those roles. I believe this is why Bent can't get in the side because he can't do anything the front three are doing right now, even if they are not perfect for the roles. It seems that Lambert has a vision of how he wants to play, and is looking for the players to suit that vision, but can't find all of them in one window. He purchased KEA and Westwood to see who could fill the role of deep lying playmaker, and Westwood is making it his own. He purchased Benteke to hold the ball up, and he is playing his role. He purchased Vlaar, Lowton, and Bennett, inherited Clark and Baker to have a more athletic back four, jury is out on that one as it will take time to adjust and gel as a unit. He inherited Holman and Ireland, Gabby and Weimann who have some of the traits he is looking for up front, but not necessarily the whole package. It would seem to suit N'Zogbia perfectly, and we may see him upon return be played there. I know his form has been terrible, but we weren't necessarily playing this formation as effectively as Bannan and Westwood have prior to his injury, so there's hope he could slot in, but overall I think the three forwards sitting behind Benteke is where Lambert will spend some cash.

I find the 50 appearances theory a little weak. When you spend 24MM you would expect Bent to be first name on the teamsheet, and 50 appearances is about two seasons, maybe less. It would seem to be a silly clause to have, something that would almost certainly be met. I don't feel like it is about money. Bent is under contract, so we are on the hook to pay him at this point, and any transfer will be decent money, but not what we paid for him so it isn't like we are making a ton of money on the transfer. Like Big John said, whether you agree or not with Lambert's choices, we might as well use the money to buy someone that he will play. I was so happy when we got Bent, and love when he scores for us, but it has been a long time since I felt he was certainly going to score when he was in the side, and his goals seemed to pop up out of nowhere after anonymous performances, and not nearly often enough. Yes, service and tactics play a part, but it really seemed that if he wasn't heavily involved early in the match he would never even touch the ball. If he goes, best of luck to him. If he stays, well there will be times I am sure we could use him. Should be an interesting soap opera for the next two months (personally believe we have a striker replacement lined up already).

I agree that Bannan's play was poor last night, but part of that comes down to Holman, who should not have started over Ireland. I feel Ireland provides not only better outlets for the ball, but also gives it away a lot less than Holman in the middle third, which puts Bannan and Westwood under pressure quickly. That being said, I have never been a big fan of Bannan, but his performances over the last month have been consistently good when he plays a smart game. His margin for error is very small given his size and pace limitations, so he absolutely has to make good decisions. Last night he did not, and ended up giving away possession in general, and too often in dangerous areas.

I think the potential of Bennet and Lowton as fullbacks that can get forward is why they were brought in despite the fact that Lichaj was playing fine defensively last season. In the game against Sunderland I thought it was unfortunate that Lichaj came in cold, and even more so that he picked up a ticky tack yellow so quickly. I think Lichaj is trusted as a backup where you don't lose much, if anything, defensively but you will sacrifice a bit going forward, at least on the left (his limited time on the right showed him going forward far more aggressively). One thing I really liked against Johnson was how physical Lichaj was against him. I felt the yellow was harsh, as well as a few other fouls he gave away, but he was tough against Johnson and I think it disrupted his game.

I am not a huge fan of BB, but credit where it is due. That was his best performance to date, he worked tirelessly but smartly (which has been an issue for him in the past), played a limited number of "hollywood balls" compared to other appearances which made them somewhat more threatening, but more importantly made more simple passes, not necessarily sideways (I am looking at you Delph), that kept possession and got the ball to the attacking players quickly and with some space. I hope he can keep playing this way, because with his size and average pace his margin for error is very small. The above are what he brings to the table effectively, along with free kicks and corners, and if sticks to it he can have some success.

as one of those Americans, I think its painfully boring and transparent as being a PR exercise. In the last three years or so there have been an incredible number of sports documentaries and "reality" type shows that are just incredible in their production, and most importantly, realism, allowing the viewers to get an incredibly close view of what goes on in the locker room, behind the scenes, etc. Check out the ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries, which are wonderful (try Broke, the stories behind why so many NFL players go bankrupt so quickly after their playing years), as well as the NHL 24/7 series that follows two teams as they head to an outdoor game in the middle of the season, and Hard Knocks which follows an NFL team through the training camp and season. At this point I think the American audience, having watched these compelling shows, would find Being Liverpool contrived and not really very believable as truly "behind the scenes".

Good post BOF. Since this blog is titled "The Optimist", another positive aspect of this model is that it allows these younger players to develop together, chemistry if you will. I know Lambert likes to rotate and tinker with formations, but surely these are being worked on in training. With these players being young and adaptable, they can grow together and hopefully be with us for several years. You have seen this model work with Swansea and to a degree with Norwich as well as they have moved up divisions with little chop and change to the squad. At Villa Lambert will have the opportunity to create that same model with potentially a better squad as a starting point. Lastly, this also allows us to link a strong academy more closely with the first team, something that has been sorely lacking the last 5 years. They will be young, hungry, technically proficient, and playing a style that is complementary from academy through the first team. Really looking forward to the progress. The most interesting thing will be how Lambert views more senior players, and incorporates them into the system. He SHOULD have more opportunity to purchase some proven players with experience and quality here than he has in the past, and I think to date the biggest criticism (see: Morpheus) has been his inability or unwillingness to do so in the transfer market. I personally think this is really more of a TBD than a criticism, as he really hasn't had much time and only one window in which to act on this. January and next summer (pending Lerner investment) will ultimately provide the answer to that question. Keep 'em coming.

agree with villa_shere on the timing of the subs. It seems Lambert anticipated WBA having much more of the ball than they did, and put out a pacier counter-attacking lineup with Alby and Holman, Benteke/Gabby both holding up the ball and running channels, with two more holding midfielders in Delph and KEA. When it became obvious that we were possessing the ball, neither Delph nor KEA went forward with it (I thought Delph should have taken more initiative and gone forward - KEA had few forward outlets when in possession and looked poorer for it). I think the subs were spot on, Bannan and Zog with more creativity, and Bent playing on the last shoulder as more play was around the WBA goal, just should have come somewhat earlier. Good corners and crosses by Alby, not enough Claret and Blue getting to it, but he seems to struggle when we have a lot of the ball and the defense is more compressed not allowing him to get at the fullback with any sort of pace. Vlaar unlucky for the goal. He had Long well marked despite having to come from behind after stepping up attempting the trap, just didn't clear properly. 9/10 times he clears that without any trouble. Would feel worse if he was actually caught out for pace, but he wasn't. We really missed Ireland today. As good as Bannan played, I still think Ireland has the quality in a possession game like this to show for the ball in an advanced position, and try passes that will trouble defenses.

the one thing that does frighten me about City, that I think often goes overlooked, is the amount of investment they have been doing to their facilities and academy, as well as scouting and obtaining very young players. They are setting themselves up to NOT have to spend at their current pace at some point in the near to mid future, but rather develop an assembly line of excellent talent (some of which seems to be British) in world class facilities, presumably being coached to play a specific style. If it all comes off they will have done a truly brilliant thing. The thing that most annoyed me about City was just how MUCH more they paid players to come, sums that were never going to be approached by other clubs for certain players (Gareth Barry/Adebayor/Milner all come to mind), but now I look at it and see that process as just a catalyst for a longer term project. Blow everyone out of the water to get success, increase revenue streams (CL money), and make City attractive to players on a level additional to pure wages (silverware as well), then settle in with a young squad (they are really quite young across the board), win things, and populate your excellent academy with the best young talent around the world. Lather, rinse, repeat into perpetuity. It is this process that I don't see being repeated in all the "new money" clubs (QPR, Malaga, Russian clubs I can't spell, even Chelsea - though they seem to buy a lot of young talent I am not sure how much development is actually being done or being prioritized).

I saw a couple of things differently as well. This game was well and truly on Lambert, as we were set up completely wrong. First of all, going into the match I always expected Everton to have good spells and create some chances, they are a strong squad. I thought the first 30 minutes saw a bit of a back and forth, with each team having some time on the front and back foot. Goals change games, and their first opened some things up. Our problem was we only had 1 attacking, no CF player in Nzog. As much as I like Herd's effort and tenacity, playing him with KEA and Bannan means we have three midfielders deep. Playing Baker at left back (I still don't understand this) means Nzog is totally isolated. There is no overlap, no midfielders coming into the box, and just Bent as any option. Delf doesn't make any real runs, so he doesn't create any outlet either. Thus endeth our attack. Having Ireland/Holman in the team at least brings players into the attacking third and gives us some outlets. Having a left back that overlaps at least on occasion would help. The right side of the midfield had exactly the opposite problem, no attacking player but a fullback that wants to get forward. Totally unbalanced. Also, Wiemann makes good runs and takes up good positions, why he doesn't start over Delf is another question. We really had no real chance today with the way we were set out. Not sure why we had this approach, but this with the combination of a couple of individual mistakes really did us in.

I would be shocked to see Dunne sold, not because I don't want him to be, or that there wouldn't be potential buyers, nor because it would leave us thinner (pun intended) at the back. I would be shocked because I think Dunne doesn't want to sign a contract in England and will leave for the MLS after this season. If he is transferred to Stoke, they would want him to sign at least a three year contract and I don't think he will do it. As for the points above regarding our CB position, there is a possible scenario where Dunne would be seen as 5th choice anyway, with Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Lowton (who played CB pre-season) all ahead of him given their youth, quickness, and comfort on the ball. Dunne won't be here next season anyway, so we should already be preparing for life without him by giving Baker/Lowton minutes in the case of injury and suspension. Also, we can only register 25 players, and are woefully thin at other positions. I am sure PL has placed a value on those positions and will choose his squad accordingly. Right now we have 2 fit strikers, and we know PL will play 4-4-2 at times, Gabby and to a degree Bent have injury histories, so reinforcements at that position, and at full back, are most likely required. If PL believes that is where we need strengthening, then freeing up a squad spot makes sense. Furthermore, with respect to the wage argument, perhaps he sees Dunne at best as third choice, which then puts 50K of wages on the bench most weeks at the expense of a top full back or striker. Finally, since I don't think he wants to be sold, I don't think Dunne on the books, regardless of where he ranks in the CB pecking order, will prohibit any further transfers or wage increases because he is coming off of the books after this season so there is light at the end of that tunnel. Having Dunne, Warnock, Collins, and Hutton on the books but not playing would be a problem however and I think that is how PL is looking at it.

Just a scatter-gun approach to venting Tayls. Just like we did here last season, when things are going poorly people try to apportion blame or find a reasoning behind it. When Randy bought Villa the Browns fans thought he wasn't trying to make them better and was just jet-setting around buying a "soccer plaything" instead of making the Browns win. When he was spending time in Cleveland last season and McLeish was trying to relegate us, many said the same thing. To be honest, most Browns fans don't care or even know who we Villans are, but there are actually a lot of fans like me, who not only know of Villa, but have become die-hard supporters since Randy purchased us. As for the gif above, you are just lucky I didn't go into detail

OK, must comment now. This is going to be long, but if you are interested in the Randy history with the Browns I will do my best to sum up. Browns fans are not like Blues, nor are the Steelers like Villa. Other than a rivalry, there are no similarities. If anything, the Browns are closer to Villa than anyone else. Browns fans are very downtrodden, and have a love/hate relationship with the Lerner family. We were a competitive team with a championship history that was effectively "sabotaged" into mediocrity in an effort to move the team by Art Modell. Al Lerner (Randy's daddy) helped Modell move the team, in fact the papers were signed aboard Al Lerner's jet as they flew to Baltimore to become the Ravens (stink eye at Dante). Villa equivalent? Effectively disappearing from league football altogether, not relegation, ceasing to exist. Al Lerner then negotiated himself ownership of the Browns as an "expansion" team (adding a team to the league, not purchasing an existing team and moving to Cleveland). Cleveland fans were grateful for this, though the City had actually negotiated with the NFL that we would have the next expansion franchise and retain the name and colors, history, etc. and Al Lerner was essentially "next in line" from the NFL point of view to own a team (this is actually similar to the new owner of the Browns, who the NFL had essentially vetted through a minority ownership in the *spit* Steelers, he was next in line for a team should one come on the market). The NFL set this up very poorly, giving the team and Al Lerner very little time to prepare for the upcoming season, put a management structure in place, hire the coach, and prepare for the draft (both the college draft and the expansion draft, which allows a new team to take players deemed unprotected from the rest of the league). Of course the results were disastrous, exacerbated by continued poor drafting and management by the Lerner-led organization, though they were always in a hole. Football comparison? closest I can come up with would be Rangers Newco. Al Lerner passes away and bequeaths the team to his son. Randy is influential, as was his father, in league business, and acts as a good steward to the Cleveland fans (refusing to grant naming rights to the stadium, keeping ticket and concession prices low despite NFL pressure to increase them - shared revenue don'tcha know). He also was never shy about paying money for coaches, front office personnel, or free agents (transfers and wages), but he repeatedly failed (like his father) to implement an effective organization, one with a plan and vision that was in a position to execute properly to allow both the team to compete, and manage the business effectively This ranged from giving too much power to a single person, to hiring people not matched for each other, not having controls in place, etc. Comparison - O'Neill - Faulkner - Houllier - McLeish. This rendered the Browns essentially non-competitive for a decade, and in a precarious position for the future. The team had no hope of being competitive, and was losing value as an entity. Enter Holmgren. Randy decides to go all out (paying large sums of money to get an incredibly well respected NFL veteran) and hire Paul Holmgren as President, giving him freedom to set up the organization properly. Holmgren (after a throw away year) hires a GM and coach that all follow a single philosophy and plan, which is to completely turn over the roster and build a style of play with young, hungry players through the draft, eschewing high priced free agents (transfers) that will add little in overall team success while costing a lot of money against the salary cap (wage bill). Comparison - Paul Lambert thus far. The last three seasons have seen continued poor results, but the team is now poised for some success with young, talented, hungry players chosen for a specific style of play that has a history of success. Most Browns fans realize that this is the case, but after so many years of dysfuntion, not to mention a healthy skepticism of the Lerner's from the beginning, the news of him selling is widely considered a good thing, though the timing is being seen as yet another in a long line of poor decisions as the season is about to start and the uncertainty over the next owner and his team and the actions they will take (generally wanting to "bring in their own people") threatens to not only "blow up" the current management structure, but also be yet another dawn of "rebuilding" as the team MAY have to change to a new philosophy. Comparison? possibly Blackburn, possibly Man City - who the hell knows. Reasons for the sale? There has been talk of a 10 year moratorium from Al Lerner on the sale, but not confirmed. Recent rumblings are that the years of poor results, fans blaming Randy and general ill will (his son has transferred to a school in NY supposedly due to abuse received about the Browns) has worn him down. Others saying this is a way to monetize a large family asset during tougher times. Only Randy knows. To sum up, Browns fans have had it rough for a long time and can be vitriolic towards the Lerner's, especially Randy, but it is a minority of fans that are quite so outwardly hostile. I have seen similar posts in here on Randy as well, some continue despite the recent spate of optimism (McLeish was here not long ago...), but most Browns fans acknowledge that he tried hard, failed in a tough situation, genuinely seemed to be trying to make the Browns succeed, but ultimately wasn't going to be able to do so whether it was skill or lack of passion. Hope this wasn't too long and shines some light on the Randy/Browns relationship. UTV, GO BROWNS

I am cautiously optimistic. I believe our younger players and players without PL experience will have either ups and downs, or may require some amount of bedding in, but I believe they are committed and will be more prepared this season than the last two. How high we finish rests firmly on our senior players' shoulders. Given, Dunne have been on the down slope and have to rediscover form and fitness for us to be solid at the back. Ireland, N'Zogbia, Bent, Gabby need to produce this season now that he who shall not be named is gone. There are no excuses for them this year. Chances will be created, and leaders will be needed on the pitch.

I think this isn't necessarily a "horrible" loss, in the sense that Bent is probably the first name on the sheet, but what it does is limit PL's options to play different formations. IMO, Weimann is probably the most like for like replacement for Bent if he is injured, but having Gabby out hurts us if we want to play 442, as he is really the only partner for Bent.