Change is as good as a rest.

[Oncy]

Im actually delighted that three clubs all of whom sacked their managers mid season have gone down.
I dont know if Mackay, Jol and Hughton would have kept their teams up, and onviously Clarke, Di Canio and Pulis are proof that it can work but I think some of the sackings this season for managers who were ALWAYS going to be in a relegation fight has been a joke.

I understand the Dicanio decision as he was a fucking nightmare from day one but I thought Clarke, Mckay and Hughton especially deserved a bit of time.

So yeah. See yas. And congrats to Hull, Villa who stuck the course.

 

[RolandG]

Congrats to Borini who was heroic and kept Sunderland up.

 

[Oncy]

Sunderlands results against United, City and Chelsea are remarkable. Absolute credit to Poyet and his players.

 

[Fabio]

Hughton I could understand, as they had an awful, awful record and played awful, awful football.

Mckay made no sense, and jol was an odd one

 

[Delinquent]

Congrats to Borini who was heroic and kept Sunderland up.

Get a grip, Roland.

 

[hmmmmm1]

The sackings you can understand, it was tight at the bottom. It was the replacements, Norwich left it too late to make the change, fulham owner looks cluess with thier appoinrtmnets. ole was a dreadful choice for cardiff

 

[Judge Jules]

Difficult, these. Norwich fans seem to have been glad that Hughton was binned. I like the guy and was sorry for him, but it wasn't a completely daft decision in principle - the problem was the timing. Mackay went because of a personality clash with the owner and I guess, if that happens, there's only one way things are going to go (though I'll bet their fans would rather have seen the back of Tan). Jol wasn't getting much out of those players at Fulham, though what's happened under Magath suggests it's the players - Parker and Sidwell excepted - who were really to blame

 

[RolandG]

Get a grip, Roland.

Already have a grip on a bottle. Drowning my sorrows.

Borini is a cult hero at the stadium of light and has been immense for them. He deserves all the praise he gets there.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Norwich should have waited until the summer or sacked Hughton months ago. They were awful to watch and the new signings weren't pulling up any trees, but I reckon Hughton might have kept them up. It's always difficult for a manager to change things with only a hanful of games left, particularly considering who they had left to play. I think sacking Jol was the right call, but giving Muelenstein about 4 games was stupid. We all know what happened at Cardiff. Tan is a bit mental. Mackay had them on decent course to stay up.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

There was Meulensteen between Jol and Magath too. In terms of being a farce, Fulham and Cardiff were neck and neck. I'm glad both went down. I'd have wanted West Brom to go down to, as they're a bloody eye sore. They'll be in the same position next season I think.

I think Villa and West Brom will be in the mix again next season - that's 3 seasons in a row now I think that Villa's been in trouble at the end of the season. You can only put up the escape artist act so many times. Sunderland pulled through in the end with an amazing 4-game win streak, but it remains to be seen if they'll properly strengthen next season to avoid another season like this.

No idea what to expect from Leicester, Burnley and whichever team comes up. Only thing we can be sure of, is that another round of managerial sackings will happen in around November/December again.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I still think Norwich would have stayed up and we'd have won the title if they hadn't changed

 

[peekay]

Mohammad Al Fayed blames Fulham's relegation on the removal of his beloved Michael Jackson statue

Manager Felix Magath laid the blame for relegation at the feet of Fulham's players for a lack of fighting spirit.


Cottagers fans expressed theories ranging from a lurch through three different bosses to the unwillingness of new owner Shahid Khan to splash the cash.

But Khan's flamboyant predecessor Mohamed Al Fayed is convinced he knows the real reason why Fulham's 14-year stay in the Barclays Premier League came to an end last Saturday.

Al Fayed told Press Association Sport he believes the Cottagers would still be in the top flight if Khan had not had the 7ft 6ins sculpture of Michael Jackson removed from outside Craven Cottage last November.

Al Fayed was speaking as he formally presented the statue of the late singer to the National Football Museum in Manchester, where it will stand proudly on a first-floor mezzanine.

He said: "This statue was a charm and we removed the luck from the club and now we have to pay the price.

"When (Khan) asked me to move it I said, 'you must be crazy'. This is such a fantastic statue which the fans are crying out for.

"But now he has paid the price because the club has been relegated. He called me because he told me he wanted Michael to return. I told him, no way."

The much-mocked statue was commissioned by Al Fayed and installed at the back of the Hammersmith Stand in 2011.

Al Fayed was a friend of Jackson and the singer even paid a visit to Craven Cottage when he attended a match between Fulham and Wigan in 1999.

But following Al Fayed's decision to sell the club to Indian tycoon Khan, he was told it was surplus to requirements and would have to be removed.

Speaking about its presentation to the National Football Museum, Al Fayed added: "This is a great place visited by thousands of people and I am very proud to present them with one of the greatest artists and singers in the world.

"Michael is a fantastic example for everyone. He came from nowhere and showed fantastic determination to be a superstar and I am very glad that he is now in this great institution for people to enjoy."

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

West Brom are the ones that have been so lucky in all of this after their stupid decision, Pepe Mel has been flapping around there but luckily for him and West Brom mid 30s in points is enough this season.

 

[Judge Jules]

I still think Norwich would have stayed up and we'd have won the title if they hadn't changed

How so?

 

[StevieM]

Sunderlands results against United, City and Chelsea are remarkable. Absolute credit to Poyet and his players.

Lambert will be sacked at the end if the season.

 

[StevieM]

How so?

It's a thought from DB's head - it won't make any sense to anyone else.

 

[Pesam]

Lambert will be sacked at the end if the season.

I hope not for their sake. I don't think he had a great season as manager but, like players, managers can have a dodgy season every now and again. I still think Lambert could be an excellent manager and they have some very exciting young players coming through for next season.

I'll make an early and possibly crazy prediction....if Villa hold onto Lambert they'll finish in the top 8 next season.

 

[FoxForceFive]

It's a thought from DB's head - it won't make any sense to anyone else.

When I read that comment from Jules I just thought 'No, Jules, don't ask, it's not worth it!'

 

[Best Believe It]

Lambert will be sacked at the end if the season.

Lambert confuses me. Before he got the Villa job there were a number of journalists claiming he was the most talented young British manager, and direct comparisons were made with BR, with Lambert being heralded by some as better. I know at Villa he's got less of a resource to play with, but I haven't seen all that much to show he's some sort of potential visionary in the same way that Rodgers was at Swansea or Martinez showed. Am I missing something?

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I hope not for their sake. I don't think he had a great season as manager but, like players, managers can have a dodgy season every now and again. I still think Lambert could be an excellent manager and they have some very exciting young players coming through for next season.

I'll make an early and possibly crazy prediction....if Villa hold onto Lambert they'll finish in the top 8 next season.

He had a dodgy last season too though. He's spent about 31m nett these 2 seasons, but they're still not much better points- and position-wise than when Alex McLeish was sacked (38 points when he was sacked; Villa got 41 points last season and can at best equal that after this weekend).

I think if Villa have a bad start or if they're close to the drop zone again by November / December, Lambert's gone.

 

[Pesam]

He had a dodgy last season too though. He's spent about 31m nett these 2 seasons, but they're still not much better points- and position-wise than when Alex McLeish was sacked (38 points when he was sacked; Villa got 41 points last season and can at best equal that after this weekend).

I think if Villa have a bad start or if they're close to the drop zone again by November / December, Lambert's gone.

He needs to accept that the Delph/Westwood partnership in CM isn't good enough. If they have a bad start next season then he deserves the sack tbh.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I hope not for their sake. I don't think he had a great season as manager but, like players, managers can have a dodgy season every now and again. I still think Lambert could be an excellent manager and they have some very exciting young players coming through for next season.

I'll make an early and possibly crazy prediction....if Villa hold onto Lambert they'll finish in the top 8 next season.

Was it you who said he was a better young manager than Rodgers? Not saying things may not turn around but he's taken a solid O'Neil team and made them a relegation battler the last two years ... If he stays, I can see them relegated. He's just not shown much with them -

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Was it you who said he was a better young manager than Rodgers? Not saying things may not turn around but he's taken a solid O'Neil team and made them a relegation battler the last two years ... If he stays, I can see them relegated. He's just not shown much with them -

To be fair, there's a couple of managers between O'Neil's team and him taking over.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

To be fair, there's a couple of managers between O'Neil's team and him taking over.

I thought it was one and then Lambert (and it was basically still the same team).

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Looks like he's a dead man walking already. Perhaps especially so if Lerner does sell Villa.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-paul-lambert-admits-7087922

Paul Lambert: I will respect whatever Randy Lerner decides

May 08, 2014 06:59
By Mat Kendrick

Aston Villa: Paul Lambert admits he is waiting for Randy Lerner's statement just like everyone else

Paul Lambert admits he is waiting with “bated breath” to learn his and Aston Villa’s fate when Randy Lerner releases his statement of clarification next week.

Speaking after last night’s 4-0 defeat at title favourites Manchester City, Lambert insists he remains none-the-wiser about what Villa’s American owner will say.

Asked what he knows about the situation, Lambert replied: “Same as you.

“I’ll wait with baited breath to hear what the chairman’s got to say. He’ll decide, I honestly really don’t know. He’ll decide what he’s going to say and I’ll respect whatever decision he makes.”

There is growing speculation that Lerner will announce his intention to sell Villa next week, but Lambert is unable to say whether it is a time of excitement or anxiety for the club.

“I really don’t know if I’m being totally honest with you,” he said.

“I really don’t know. I’ll respect the chairman, he’s a great guy. He’s been great with me, it’s his club. But his statement will come out and I think whatever he’s going to say we’ll have to wait.”

Lambert admits he has never known a situation like it, adding: “It’s a bit different, but I respect him. Whatever he’s going to say I’ll be like everybody else waiting to see what he says.”

The defeat at City means Villa are stuck on the 38-point tally Alex McLeish achieved before he was sacked in his ill-fated season, while even with a win at Spurs, the most Lambert can manage is equalling last season’s 41-point total.

“I’m delighted we got over the line,” added Lambert.

“That was our incentive in the last few weeks to get over the line and we did it. The lads deserve a lot of credit because they took some heavy knocks but they did it and they kept the club in the league, which is the most important thing. It’s a great club, I’ve always said.

“I’ve always been really pleased with the players’ effort. I can’t ask for any more effort. They’ve given me absolutely everything.”

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I thought it was one and then Lambert (and it was basically still the same team).

Houllier, then McLeish, then Lambert.

They finished 9th under Houllier. What a drop thereafter.

 

[Pesam]

Was it you who said he was a better young manager than Rodgers? Not saying things may not turn around but he's taken a solid O'Neil team and made them a relegation battler the last two years ... If he stays, I can see them relegated. He's just not shown much with them -

Not quite, when we were linked with 3 young managers, Rodgers, Martinez and Lambert I said that I couldn't decide which of Rodgers or Lambert I wanted as first choice. I opined that at least one and maybe both of them had the potential to be our "messiah" and lead us back to the top. It looks like our board made the right decision but I still think Lambert could have a big impact on Villa but he needs to "up his game" considerably.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Houllier, then McLeish, then Lambert.

They finished 9th under Houllier. What a drop thereafter.

So it's true what they say about memory once the 30s begin ... fuck!

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Not quite, when we were linked with 3 young managers, Rodgers, Martinez and Lambert I said that I couldn't decide which of Rodgers or Lambert I wanted as first choice. I opined that at least one and maybe both of them had the potential to be our "messiah" and lead us back to the top. It looks like our board made the right decision but I still think Lambert could have a big impact on Villa but he needs to "up his game" considerably.

I have been very impressed with Martinez - will be interesting to see how he handles year #2.

Lambert needs a fresh start I think ... unless all his kids are about to have a 'Sterling' like improvement next year.

 

[Pesam]

I have been very impressed with Martinez - will be interesting to see how he handles year #2.

Lambert needs a fresh start I think ... unless all his kids are about to have a 'Sterling' like improvement next year.

The 2 to look out for are Jack Grealish and Callum Robinson. Grealish in particular I think could become a big star next season and I'm hoping Martin O'Neill calls him into the Irish squad for the Euro qualifiers at some stage.