alreadyexists

He's had quite a bit of time to get back to fitness, so fingers crossed. I guess if he's not, it'll be Okore and Senderos as CBs.

Was Ian Storey-Moore still a scout when lambert first came to the club? If so, could be him coming back? EDIT: just googled him and he left with MON.

I had already read that. Let me reiterate for you: I don't buy it. This is his staff. They answer to him and he can hire or fire as he pleases. Now not being willing to take action - that I can believe. But not being able? That's a big stretch. Fair enough, it's not my place to convince you of anything. I personally can believe it though, employment law is applicable to football clubs as well as it is to anywhere else and without proof it would be very difficult to fire someone without some messy legal proceedings. I don't think they we're Lambert's staff really either, they're employees of Aston Villa, so he can't hire and fire anyone without buy-in from the company, who also have to be willing and able. I'm in the same position as most of us fans though, I've only a vague idea what has happened based on some vague stuff in the press and limited releases from the club. Perhaps we'll never know. I do feel as though there's more than meets the eye with this one.

This I can't buy. Whether we know the facts or not, he is the manager. It is his job to know - and to act accordingly. If our performance towards the latter part of last season was down to those 2 clowns, then Lambert did not just show poor management by not removing them earlier.... ... he risked the premier league status of the club, which borders on incompetence. Trent has said, literally about 6 posts before this one, that he did know, but couldn't do anything about it.

I was hoping for a highlight video. This was all I found. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlXIxCk0qlM Found a 1min highlight reel, but it only shows the Russian goals, and you barely see any Danes, so it's virtually pointless, but here it is: click

diamond then in midfield? Lambert was certainly looking to play that when he first got the job, maybe he'll give it another crack. would require sanchez to cover when the full backs are up the pitch as otherwise we'd have no width. Judging by the signings of Sanchez and Cleverley it certainly seems that's what will happen, unless we're going to play a 5man midfield, with Sanchez as DM still and the wingbacks giving us width, and cleverly/N'Zog(?) in a AM role, and then just have Bentekkers up on his own once fit. He's more than capable, but against the weaker sides it would be nice to see us play more attacking with two strikers. Something that stands out to me at the moment is that most people are picking the same back four (where as last year it was difficult to pick) and we're finding it hard to pick a midfield without leaving someone out who would have walked in last year. Positive stuff.

Would love a top 10, and I don't think it's too out of our reach, but I think a lot of the sides around us have strengthened so that could push us lower, maybe realistically 12th would be a good finish, but honestly I'd take us getting to delegations safety in April. That would be a result.

My strongest side (before injury returns) would be something like: Guzan Hutton Vlaar Senderos Cissokho Westwood Sanchez Cleverley Delph Gabby Weimann It's a shame to leave Richardson, and to a certain extent N'Zog on the bench after positive starts but I think that's the strongest we can field at the moment.

Jack's virtually playing on his own. I think he's the only player (Irish) that comes from a prem side, there's a couple of reading players and a blackburn I think. It does sort of show so far (although I know good players can play for lower teams).

I would buy that t-shirt. I love that his catchphrase is a misspelling, and can't wait for this lad to come back. If he can turn the glimmer of promise he has shown in to performances then we'll have some player on our hands. I'm obviously bias but he totally made the right choice coming to us, at Chelsea he might've played a handful of league cup games or a couple of prem games. As it stands that's all he's played for us, but he would've, and I'm sure will go on to, play a lot more.

Poor Phil. I wonder what's in those bags; I assume misery and his own tears.

Cissokho was player of the month for August, Here, and I agree that he played really well. Hard to choose between him and rest of the back four but he's done great so far.

You're thinking of Roreano D'Lappio, used to play for Stoke I think.

He could look like a pile of crap draped in a villa shirt for all I care, as long as he plays well and helps the team out. He does a bit. Ha! My point is the way someone looks has nothing to do with how they play football. If he turns out to be crap for us, then he's crap, and that's that, and if he's good he's good, it's nothing to do with his nose, or mouth.

Bit of a risk seeing as we dont even know if he'll start for us True but could be a good gamble it if pays off, I'm not sure either though.

Love this! He looks like he gives Jack whiplash he hugs so hard.

He could look like a pile of crap draped in a villa shirt for all I care, as long as he plays well and helps the team out.

The Swiss Troll

Agreed. I loved season 1 of PB, 2 was pretty good, but 3 was terrible so I stopped watching.

Anyone think it's worth a punt on cleverley, he's still down as Man U at the mo, and is 5.3m... A bit of money for unknown result, but if he plays in an advanced role could get a few assists and goals?

Well it would help if we could offer him a new deal as he will be playing for another club this time next year otherwise. That's a good point, he could walk out the door rather than re-sign if he wants. Would be a shame though, really should be a priority to sign a new contract with him (and the others) as soon as possible.

Maybe the mods could do a poll for the nickname in this thread? I think I'd vote for either Bald Eagle or Senderlols, both are excellent.

I think that's a good side. Richardson has played well, although he does seem knackered by about 75mins, so it seems harsh to drop him, but I think that would probably be the plan. I'd probably out Zog on the bench ahead of Richardson... But that's debatable. Who would have thought that we'd have a back four we all pretty much agreed on!? With Okore to come back too makes it evens stronger with competition for places.

That's true. I suppose as fans we expect players to have the same ultimate and unswerving loyalty to a club as we do, and that is very rarely the case. It's a bit like your missus mentioning an ex, you know there were others, but you'd prefer not to think about it.

Tom Cleverley, welcome to the best club in the world, work hard, play well and we'll love you. I imagine if wages were the stumbling block, as was mentioned yesterday, then perhaps we've said come on loan and we'll pay your current wage in exchange for first team football, and of you do well, we'll make you an offer in January for wages we think are fair (by which time it might not be randy's problem). Sounds like win win for villa; he does well, we do well, he does poorly, we're no worse off (other than 1.5m ish in wages). This was a strange deal, but I stand by my original thoughts that this can only be good for the team. UTV.