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Notts County fans have actually been giving him a bit of stick (nothing too major) recently. Let him progress naturally rather than wanting to shove him into a Premier League first team.

One club, previously managed by Lambert, on an upward trajectory. The other club, previously mismanaged by everyone and on a downward trajectory. But yes, remarkably similar.

As a journalist, it is his job to make a critical analysis not to tow the official line at every opportunity. In fact, why even have independent sports journalists? Everybody may as well just restrict their reading to official sites. I agree with that - but there's nothing he's saying that is anything new to anyone. The only thing it could possibly achieve is harming the team; hurrah for the press.

He's only saying what most people are thinking. He's a journalist covering a local team, not a club employee. Yeah, it's great for our club. Exactly what we need.

Yeah, good one journalist. Pile the pressure on the manager of our club. That will work a treat; well done.

Yes. But who knows when? Could be this year, could be next year or could be in 10 years time. Only Lerner can guess when as he needs to find a buyer first! I'll start the bidding at £3.50, a packet of ready salted Walkers and a Creme Egg.

Bye Phil.

Risso - It has been all around the internet that Lerner is selling, I just passed on the information I had received from a PM to add more weight to the discussion about Lerner selling the club. I want the discussion to be about a potential sale of the club, not about me. I could careless about the admiration or loathing of anonymous people on a forum, I have to laugh when I think about it. It is hilarious to even suggest that is the case. To be fair, the problem lies with the wording of your post. Putting things like "watch this space" infer that something is about to happen with regards to <x> that you've heard about. It's a completely different phrasing to "I've heard from someone that a takeover is indeed in discussion" or whatever your information may be. Whilst I agree that any information given to the forum is speculative and encourages positivity, you have to think about the way it is portrayed.

Disagree with this. Lowton, Bennett, Baker, Clark, Westwood, KEA, Agbonlahor and Weimann are all capable squad players (possibly Luna and Tonev too) - there's absolutely no need to move them on and I'd probably have Westwood in the first team to be honest. Our squad really isn't that bad for where we are, it's just the lack of quality in the first team that is really hindering us. The one positive from the relatively-low-wage squad is that they'll now have Premier League experience. Coupled with 4/5 quality players (hopefully) this summer - I think we'd be in decent stead.

No Bacuna is interesting, as well as the inclusion of Weimann for me. Defence is your biggest concern then Risso? 3 defenders, 1 midfielder would be your "ideal" summer?

It doesn't excuse it, but it does go some distance to explaining it. Still think Lambert should have done better this season and I also think Lambert thinks he should've done better. By the way BJ, would you not like to see what he does with some decent money? (Or, to be honest, with another £20m if he no longer needs a squad). I know you sit in the "everyone out" camp, but I consider Lambert's transfer dealings pretty decent - especially at the "top end". 12 months ago I was intrigued to see what he would do. The way we ended the season made me excited about what this season could bring and how we would build on it. To be honest I'm just bored of him, have no faith in him and no real interest in seeing what he will do with more money. His tactics, the way we play football and the reliance on having a big target man up front with no plan b have pretty much destroyed any excitement I had. I understand all of this (what a target man we've got, eh?). There's been glimpses of decent football at times and, in more recent games, there certainly seems to be an emphasis on passing the ball rather than hoofing it. I think we're drastically lacking in quality rather than having a manager that doesn't play the right way although I agree that there seems to be a complete lack of a "plan b". In addition to this, who do you think should stay in our first team? Let's assume Lambert stays and insists on playing this 4-3-3-esque formation, which players would you start? Not fussed about squad players, just the first teamers.

Someone here mentioned Mbia earlier. I didn't realise he was on loan at Sevilla from Q.P.R. (lol at that in itself) but he was quality against Porto last night. I'd assume he'd demand high wages and, to be honest, would probably go to a bigger club. Would anyone be keen though? Seems to be one of the two kinds of midfielder we're lacking.

It doesn't excuse it, but it does go some distance to explaining it. Still think Lambert should have done better this season and I also think Lambert thinks he should've done better. By the way BJ, would you not like to see what he does with some decent money? (Or, to be honest, with another £20m if he no longer needs a squad). I know you sit in the "everyone out" camp, but I consider Lambert's transfer dealings pretty decent - especially at the "top end".

You absolutely can't pass judgement on this (unless you're a youth/first team coach at Villa or something?). It's just another stick to beat Lambert with. If he was playing kids and still losing 4-1 etc, people would be here saying "why the hell is he playing the **** kids?! This is the Premier League!". FWIW, I'd have given a couple of fringe players a run out in a relatively pressure free game against Fulham so I AM in favour of playing some of our youngsters. I just don't think the manager is particularly in the wrong for not doing it.

I do wonder how a takeover would improve things for us in the immediate short term. What is the impact of FFP on everything?

And I'm really looking forward to you moaning about the new owner and comparing him to Doug (spit!!!) and wanting him back when he doesn't do what you want him too. Do you even watch the club you support? How the **** can you question me??? I've been a fan since I was 4 years old - first game in 1962 - been a fan 52 **** years and you question me??? I've had a season ticket and going longer than you probably. How many games have you been to ths season - I've travelled up from London for EACH and EVERY league game and I've travelled to Villa Park for games when I lived and worked in Kent and Wigan. Shit I even travelled from Turkey and cut my stay with family short so I could watch Villa - so get off your high horse. All you've done all season (and longer) is bitch and moan about Lerner and this player and that player blah de blah. I give my club UNEQUIVACAL support regardless. I may not like what Lerner is doing but I put ALL my energy in SUPPORTING the TEAM/CLUB regardless of performance/shit manager/shit owner. I've NEVER BOOED a player - I have booed Ellis cause I know what he is. I wonder if you are one of the boo boys?? See I can make stupid judgmental statements too. Take a breath. I wasn't questioning your support or having a go at you, like you did to me. You make it sound like I complain for no reason. Yet if you've seen the state of us for the last 4 years surely you'd understand.

Even if we finish with less points? Yes, for reasons I and others have already been through. I'd disagree that less points = progress as it obviously doesn't. There have been many unfortunate injuries go against us this season, but you'd still expect to match if not better the previous seasons performance. I just don't understand how people can reasonably expect a complete squad overhaul with cheaper players coming in and playing attractive, attacking, successful football to happen in less than two seasons. Football is mad. I don't understand how breaking club records and losing 47% of the times is acceptable. Support for managers is mad. We've broken club records this season? How come you haven't mentioned this before? I did. You must have missed it while repeating the same Lambert defence and thinking of witty ways to respond to those who repeat things you don't like. I don't like breaking club records in a negative manner, you're right. I guess I just like to hear constructive criticism or something that resembles a reasoned view rather than "we've broken club records and he's lost 47% of the times" every **** page. But each to their own.

Even if we finish with less points? Yes, for reasons I and others have already been through. I'd disagree that less points = progress as it obviously doesn't. There have been many unfortunate injuries go against us this season, but you'd still expect to match if not better the previous seasons performance. I just don't understand how people can reasonably expect a complete squad overhaul with cheaper players coming in and playing attractive, attacking, successful football to happen in less than two seasons. Football is mad. I don't understand how breaking club records and losing 47% of the times is acceptable. Support for managers is mad. We've broken club records this season? How come you haven't mentioned this before?

Even if we finish with less points? Yes, for reasons I and others have already been through. I'd disagree that less points = progress as it obviously doesn't. There have been many unfortunate injuries go against us this season, but you'd still expect to match if not better the previous seasons performance. I just don't understand how people can reasonably expect a complete squad overhaul with cheaper players coming in and playing attractive, attacking, successful football to happen in less than two seasons. Football is mad.

I don't understand some of your points here. For example; Lambert has improved Villa by removing players on "fat luxurious contracts", but should also do better "considering the players that Lambert had at his disposal before starting to rebuild". Which is it? He should've let them go or he should've kept them? Following on from this, you stated that Lambert shouldn't be praised - he's not being praised! This isn't a black or white situation between fans of "he's shit sack him" or "he's the messiah, keep him forever"; the fact is that Lambert has done an average job. A job that was to be expected but he has neither failed at nor exceeded. You could certainly argue it's been worse than hoped for - I'm sure most people (the manager included) would agree - but it hasn't been a mitigating disaster. The bit in bold; why did Roberto Martinez turn down this easy, dream job for any manager wishing to enhance their reputation? It's a no lose situation after all, perfect. He must be mad to have passed up on the opportunity. The bit in underlined italics; we're in 13th place. This isn't lying just above the relegation zone; we're closer to the top half. By all means argue on the aesthetic value of the football we play, the poor results at home or the disappointing cup defeats. In terms of real movement, we're placed higher in the table and are on a better financial footing. Lambert isn't a genius for this by any stretch, but it's happening. Maybe heading up the table is moving in the wrong direction for some people because it means Lambert won't be sacked, though? Haters gonna hate. All of this overlooks so many different factors as well such as the time it takes for new players to get used to the Premier League or for an entirely new squad to gel and settle together. Electric_Avenue asked somewhere further back in the thread about timescales for "pro-Lambert fans" - as has been said many, many times; this summer is key and Lambert has until Christmas (if seriously relegation threatened) / the end of next season in my eyes. If there's no improvement over 3 seasons, that's a major worry. However, I definitely don't expect us to be tearing up trees after a season and 2/3's. I think this is the problem with football; insta-success and history matter too much. There's a pretty unrealistic view on "where teams should be". David Moyes to be sacked after 1 season because Man Utd are 7th for example. Change takes time and stability is incredibly important in football - just look at the bottom of the league to be reminded of this.

There's this financial problem that we've been working with for a while...

This. It just wouldn't be worth it (right now) for another session of upheaval only 2 seasons down the line.

Mourinho hasn't won at Villa Park - our home record would be worse

The truly annoying thing about the constant posting of "low expectations" is that there no qualitative element behind it. There's no "I expect to finish <x> so be finishing <y> is just completely unacceptable", it's just a dig for no reason whatsoever. Pathetic posting to be honest.

When is Kozak due back homies?