Thanks Paul! Manager’s Forum Recap

Just going to do a little run down of what was said by Paul Lambert at yesterday evening’s Manager – Fans’ Forum. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a full transcript as we were asked not to record anything during the evening. Being the polite young man I am, I respected this. You’ll have to forgive me if I miss anything: it’s been 24 hours and my memory isn’t the best! If anyone who was there remembers anything I have missed then please add it in the comments below and I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

Overall, I felt the event was a success. Paul Lambert was very impressive and answered all the questions as fairly as he could. Any lingering doubts I had about the man (not that there were many, it must be said) were extinguished last night. Honest, humble and passionate, Lambert has a presence about him that is both intense and compelling, despite many people referring to him as dull and dour, something I would strongly disagree with.

Tom Ross hosted the evening and took the usual Blues banter well. He was also ripped by Lambert on many occasions, which was funny to watch.

When asked about the futures of some of the youngsters who have played for Villa in pre- season – Jack Grealish, Graham Burke and Janoi Donacian – Lambert said he would like to send them out on loan this season. He feels they are not ready for the physicality of the Premier League but he also wants them to see what life is like for players in the lower leagues. He said he wants them to go and learn from professionals at lower levels where winning games is their life, so our young lads can’t go there and slack off just because they’re on loan from a bigger club, they have to go there and play properly.  Lambert said one of the things he dislikes about modern football at the highest level is how the youngsters are treated, how everything is done for and laid out for them. He said this season would be a big one for Gary Gardner, who he referred to as a “lovely young guy”, as he didn’t get a chance to see him last season after his injury. He said Gardner would have to look at the likes of Westwood and Delph and see the level they’re at and try and displace them in the team. It sounded to me like Gardner will be remaining at Villa this season.

On potential inbound transfers, Lambert gave the usual stock answers that you would expect – never say never, if the right deal comes along, if the right player becomes available etc. You can’t blame him for this; there is no point giving the game away or raising expectation levels. He said he has players’ names in his head if the time comes for him to make a move.

He was also asked about any ‘marquee’ signing that may be made this summer, whether we would ever go out and sign a player for 30 or 40 million. He replied by saying deals like that will never happen whilst he is in charge of Aston Villa, saying it’s just not feasible for us to do it.

With regard to needing to sign a ‘number 10’ attacking midfield type, Lambert said it wasn’t something he was overly concerned about, he believes Weimann and Tonev are capable of playing that position if needed to. Villa have enquired about Nuremburg’s Hiroshi Kiyotake but have not, despite many media reports and Twitter ramblings to the contrary, made any offers. Nevertheless, I got the feeling it’s something Lambert might pursue at some point, perhaps when some of the deadwood has moved on.

Regarding the dead wood, comically referred to as the ‘Bomb Squad’, Lambert really just repeated what we’ve heard before – that it’s nothing personal against the players, he’s doing what he feels is best for the squad and best for Aston Villa and that if offers come in for those players then they will be reviewed.

In terms of transfer policy, which has so far been bringing in younger players from the lower leagues in England or from abroad, Lambert said he preferred to sign young players with something to prove as he knows what he’ll get from them. He referred to the two seasons prior to his arrival when we had experience in the side and still struggled. He said the experience argument is there if you want it but that it’s not something he buys into.

Referring to the current squad, Lambert said the dressing room is really strong at the moment and that the new lads have settled in well. When asked about the re-signing of Guzan last summer, Lambert replied that he knew something wasn’t right with that as soon as he arrived at the club and wanted to speak to Guzan and see what his thoughts were. Lambert said he was immediately impressed with Guzan’s professionalism and character and decided that he would give him a fresh start at the club.

Lambert stated his biggest regret last season was the home leg of our League Cup semi-final versus Bradford City. He said if he could go back and do it differently he would, hinting that something happened at half time and he wasn’t pleased with how he handled it. What exactly that was remained unsaid. His lowest point was, perhaps obviously, the 8-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Regarding high points he referred to the win at Manchester City in the League Cup when “nobody gave us a chance” and the hammering of Sunderland at Villa Park.

When asked about Benteke, the manager said that what happened this summer should be forgotten about and that he’s still just a young man and it shouldn’t be held over his head. Lambert added that he was always confident Benteke would stay and that he could ‘get inside his head’. He went on to say that Benteke has been great for the club and that he’s improving all the time; even in pre-season he has seen massive improvements in him.

Lambert was also asked about the fans’ 19th minute salute to Petrov last season. He responded by saying although it was great for the fans to do that for Stan, that Petrov has won his battle now and that he doesn’t need to be reminded of it, so perhaps it should stop. He added that it should be Petrov who confirms whether or not he wants the applause to stop. With regard to Petrov’s coaching position with the development squad, Lambert said it was a simple decision to make as Petrov still has plenty to give in a footballing sense and there’s a lot he can teach the younger players.

On the topic of his own future, Lambert said there aren’t any plans at the moment for him to sign a new deal but he is very happy at the club. He said it’s not something he really thinks about too much because of the fickle nature of the game. Although most Villa fans would be happy to see him sign a new deal now, if we fail to pick up a win in the first five games of the season that may change. He did say though that this team and the club are still another 4 or 5 years away from being the finished article, if there ever is such a thing. Although he wouldn’t be drawn on a new contract, I sensed that Lambert is desperate to achieve something with this team he’s building and with Aston Villa.

So really we didn’t learn a great deal of new information. I have to apologise for the clustered nature of this post. If you’ve got this far I’m sure you’re sick of reading the words ‘Lambert’ ‘He said’ and ‘With regard to…’.

I have to say though it was fascinating to hear Lambert talk about the club, the team and football in general. He seems like a great man and his philosophies on football are refreshing and exciting.

I’m looking forward to this season more than any season in a long time and that is thanks to Paul Lambert, not that he would take the credit for it. As he said himself, when we win he wants the players to take the credit and when we lose the defeat falls on his shoulders and he’s happy with that.

Thanks to Paul Lambert and Aston Villa for the chance to go last night!

Thank you for reading!