[Archived] Official: Paul Lambert Appointed Blackburn Rovers Manager

[Amo]

Surely it takes time to irradiate the attitude of the last manager?

Lambert has a Souness style job on his hands to wipe away all the ineptitude of Gary Bowyer

Indeed, Souness needed time to weed out the men from the boys and eradicate the loser mentality instilled from the previous coach-turned-manager (Kidd).

[Ribble Rover]

Most definitely. I'd say he's learned a lot in the first six matches, not just today. Certain players will be making his mind up pretty quickly. Could make for an eventful January.

Indeed, his record at previous clubs would suggest that we can expect some incoming and outgoings in January.

Especially now we can buy. I hope they splash a bit of dosh and back him.

[booth]

If a GB team had produced the aimless performance I've just witnessed at Reading this MB would have been dripping with invective. Early days but PL has a mammoth task to transform these journeymen and in some cases lower league players into a unit that sujrvive still less thrive next season.

Let's hope he gets the opportunity to bring in as many players as Bowyer did.

[philipl]

Target 60 points out of 90 available. Achieved 11 points out of 18 on offer which is one short of par for the course thus far.

Need two big performances against Boro and Bolton or we could end up enduring a Christmas like last season where we made it to sixth only to fall apart for a couple of months starting in mid-December with that Wednesday home defeat.

In a way, these less than convincing on field performances despite collecting points might make life easier for Lambert and the Venkys in making it brutally obvious what is needed in January. I would be astonished if the connections of players who have never been mentioned in the transfer thread haven't had discreet approaches. I doubt there is a better connected or more studious manager in our division than Paul Lambert.

He is going to need to use all his pulling power because the current Rovers squad is mid-table Championship at best.

[DE.]

He is going to need to use all his pulling power because the current Rovers squad is mid-table Championship at best.

Indeed. Our first eleven are a match for anybody when everybody's on form, but it's very rare that this is the case. We have too many players who don't turn up when the pressure is on, and nowhere near enough leaders on the pitch. Fingers crossed Lambert can bring some backbone and actual quality into the squad, we've been crying out for the former for years and the latter by and large departed at the end of last season.

[yoda]

Let's hope he gets the opportunity and same time to bring in as many players as Bowyer did.

just a little edit

[deryck guyler's spoon]

First loss under PL and the bowyer lovers are pulling their puds

I'm not sure who these Bowyer lovers are. I've had a skim through the thread and it appears that some double standards have been pointed out which seems to have upset some people.

For what its worth, I don't believe that I'm the only one who thinks that Gary Bowyer did a good job, steadied the ship, brought us some dignity back and gave it his best shot. Despite all the rubbish that was written about him I believe that most people think he's a good bloke. I hope he gets a deserved warm welcome when/if he comes back with a future employer.

I'm delighted that we have Paul Lambert, at last an experienced coach with a track record. He's going to need time to mould this squad if we are going down the 'gegenpress' route.

You're right though, the unity and harmony seems to be dissipating after just one defeat. It seems that we might be returning to crap posts like the one I quoted and the bickering rancour and point scoring that is meat and drink to the likes of you and 47er.

[ABBEY]

I'm not sure who these Bowyer lovers are. I've had a skim through the thread and it appears that some double standards have been pointed out which seems to have upset some people.

For what its worth, I don't believe that I'm the only one who thinks that Gary Bowyer did a good job, steadied the ship, brought us some dignity back and gave it his best shot. Despite all the rubbish that was written about him I believe that most people think he's a good bloke. I hope he gets a deserved warm welcome when/if he comes back with a future employer.

I'm delighted that we have Paul Lambert, at last an experienced coach with a track record. He's going to need time to mould this squad if we are going down the 'gegenpress' route.

You're right though, the unity and harmony seems to be dissipating after just one defeat. It seems that we might be returning to crap posts like the one I quoted and the bickering rancour and point scoring that is meat and drink to the likes of you and 47er.

crap posts? no need to get personal !

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I'm not sure who these Bowyer lovers are. I've had a skim through the thread and it appears that some double standards have been pointed out which seems to have upset some people.

For what its worth, I don't believe that I'm the only one who thinks that Gary Bowyer did a good job, steadied the ship, brought us some dignity back and gave it his best shot. Despite all the rubbish that was written about him I believe that most people think he's a good bloke. I hope he gets a deserved warm welcome when/if he comes back with a future employer.

I'm delighted that we have Paul Lambert, at last an experienced coach with a track record. He's going to need time to mould this squad if we are going down the 'gegenpress' route.

You're right though, the unity and harmony seems to be dissipating after just one defeat. It seems that we might be returning to crap posts like the one I quoted and the bickering rancour and point scoring that is meat and drink to the likes of you and 47er.

How many of this lot have the desire to work a real pressing system ? I'd say not many. He will have to bring in sufficient guys with the required work ethic to combine with the few existing players that have something about them.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

How many of this lot have the desire to work a real pressing system ? I'd say not many. He will have to bring in sufficient guys with the required work ethic to combine with the few existing players that have something about them.

Bringing in the players you want takes time. Getting shut of players you don't want is also easier said than done unless you want to pay off contracts as we've seen. Lambert needs time. Some of those who got carried away need to realise this. The modern football fan doesn't have the patience to allow that. One defeat and it's sackcloth and ashes time.

Many supporters these days seem bi polar. Swept along with euphoria with little justification, slumped into despair at the slightest reverse. Look at the daft Liverpool fans complete over reaction to Klopp's appointment. You expect that from them but some Rovers fans seems to get caught up in hyperbole as well.

[onlyonetugay]

Let's judge him this time next year when he's had a proper chance to assess the squad and bring in some fresh blood. If by then things haven't improved and we aren't at least challenging for the play-offs , then is the time to get concerned . Football is a game where fans respond with totally off the scale reactions to a win or a defeat . Lets chill , forget this one , enjoy Christmas and look forward to Middlesboro on Boxing Day. It will be our first game ( not the first of the season I hasten to add !! ) using mine, my wife's and my daughter's half season tickets ! So that's another 3 for the Lambert revolution

[47er]

I'm not sure who these Bowyer lovers are. I've had a skim through the thread and it appears that some double standards have been pointed out which seems to have upset some people.

For what its worth, I don't believe that I'm the only one who thinks that Gary Bowyer did a good job, steadied the ship, brought us some dignity back and gave it his best shot. Despite all the rubbish that was written about him I believe that most people think he's a good bloke. I hope he gets a deserved warm welcome when/if he comes back with a future employer.

I'm delighted that we have Paul Lambert, at last an experienced coach with a track record. He's going to need time to mould this squad if we are going down the 'gegenpress' route.

You're right though, the unity and harmony seems to be dissipating after just one defeat. It seems that we might be returning to crap posts like the one I quoted and the bickering rancour and point scoring that is meat and drink to the likes of you and 47er.

Infamy! Infamy! He's got it in for me!

You expect that from them but some Rovers fans seems to get caught up in hyperbole as well.

But not you of course, you're better than that eh?

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Infamy! Infamy! He's got it in for me!

A quite ironic response. I often read your posts in a Kenneth Williams voice.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Let's judge him this time next year when he's had a proper chance to assess the squad and bring in some fresh blood. If by then things haven't improved and we aren't at least challenging for the play-offs , then is the time to get concerned . Football is a game where fans respond with totally off the scale reactions to a win or a defeat . Lets chill , forget this one , enjoy Christmas and look forward to Middlesboro on Boxing Day. It will be our first game ( not the first of the season I hasten to add !! ) using mine, my wife's and my daughter's half season tickets ! So that's another 3 for the Lambert revolution

I assessed this squad early on and I'd have taken fourth from bottom if it had have been offered to me. The club was rotten to the core after five years of massively lowered expectations both on and off the pitch. It'll take more than five weeks or five months even to turn things around.

[G Somerset Rover]

I said when he was appointed that I'd take a Souness style rebuilding job this season ahead of a push for promotion next season. Nothing I have seen to date has changed my mind on this. Our squad is simply not good enough for a play-off push this time round. We're short in pretty much every department.

[patrickvalery]

I assessed this squad early on and I'd have taken fourth from bottom if it had have been offered to me. The club was rotten to the core after five years of massively lowered expectations both on and off the pitch. It'll take more than five weeks or five months even to turn things around.

Don't agree with this at all Tyrone. The club under Kean was rotten to the core. I've never seen anything like that. And pray I never do again. But the state of the club last summer wasn't rotten. Sub standard having had expectations dumbed down, stale and underwhelming are all much fairer adjectives I think. But an awful lot of work had been done to ensure the real cancer was removed. We were a club still licking its wounds and had no belief we could return to the top table of the game. Lambert's arrival signalled a huge step forward and a show of belief. Unfortunately it seems there are still a good number of players who still don't have that belief. Or they're plain crap.

[Ivorsemion]

Pretty sure that PL must realise that the team is lacking in almost all areas - which was inevitable given the conditions the club has been operating under recently.

I would expect several loan signings in January and whatever happens this season is a bonus.

The real rebuilding will start during the summer.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Lambert has a miles harder job on his hands than Souness did.

Lambert: Crowds of 12-13,000 - affects attracting players

Souness: Crowds of 19-20,000

Lambert: Relegated from the PL 3.5 seasons ago - affects attracting players

Souness: PL Champions 4.5 years ago

Lambert: Unpredictable Venkys behind us - possibly no transfer kitty

Souness: Walker Trust with a strict mandate behind him - biggest transfer kitty in the division.

Lambert: Hanley, Duffy, Conway, Rhodes - Average team for the division

Souness: Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Gillespie, Berg, Berkovic, Friedel, Taylor - superb team for the division

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Don't agree with this at all Tyrone. The club under Kean was rotten to the core. I've never seen anything like that. And pray I never do again. But the state of the club last summer wasn't rotten. Sub standard having had expectations dumbed down, stale and underwhelming are all much fairer adjectives I think. But an awful lot of work had been done to ensure the real cancer was removed. We were a club still licking its wounds and had no belief we could return to the top table of the game. Lambert's arrival signalled a huge step forward and a show of belief. Unfortunately it seems there are still a good number of players who still don't have that belief. Or they're plain crap.

I genuinely hope you are right and I'm wrong Patrick.

Lambert has a miles harder job on his hands than Souness did.

Lambert: Crowds of 12-13,000 - affects attracting players

Souness: Crowds of 19-20,000

Lambert: Relegated from the PL 3.5 seasons ago - affects attracting players

Souness: PL Champions 4.5 years ago

Lambert: Unpredictable Venkys behind us - possibly no transfer kitty

Souness: Walker Trust with a strict mandate behind him - biggest transfer kitty in the division.

Lambert: Hanley, Duffy, Conway, Rhodes - Average team for the division

Souness: Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Gillespie, Berg, Berkovic, Friedel, Taylor - superb team for the division

That team would walk this league and going off the Bournemouths and Watfords would do OK in the Premier League.

[Roverthechimp]

Think there is some point scoring going on - earlier comments about "a proper manager" being used as ammunition and PL getting caught in the crossfire.

Personally i liked Bowyer but he seemed lost at the end and PL is a proven manager so no problem there. Results good so far but a little fortuitously. Forest summed it up - for 45 minutes we dominated but didn't score. 2nd half dreadful but could have nicked another win from Koitas header. A lot to do but if the defence keeps delivering clean sheets then it is job half done already...

[FGS5635]

When shearer came on the pitch at the last home game, a few near me said 'Has he brought his boots'.

Shows the state of our current squad that jokes aside, he'd probably still get in this side right now having retired years ago

You would certainly let him have a go as the alternatives aint that inspiring

[booth]

A quite ironic response. I often read your posts in a Kenneth Williams voice.

Out loud?

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Out loud?

Is this an attempt at 'bantz'?

[Exiled in Toronto]

Lambert has a miles harder job on his hands than Souness did.

Lambert: Crowds of 12-13,000 - affects attracting players

Souness: Crowds of 19-20,000

Lambert: Relegated from the PL 3.5 seasons ago - affects attracting players

Souness: PL Champions 4.5 years ago

Lambert: Unpredictable Venkys behind us - possibly no transfer kitty

Souness: Walker Trust with a strict mandate behind him - biggest transfer kitty in the division.

Lambert: Hanley, Duffy, Conway, Rhodes - Average team for the division

Souness: Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Gillespie, Berg, Berkovic, Friedel, Taylor - superb team for the division

To be fair, Souness brought in Berg, Friedal and Berkovic. Bent was a good signing for the situation as well.

[JHRover]

When Chris Hughton took over Brighton last season they were in the relegation zone. He spent six months steadying the ship, assessing his squad, made a few alterations in the summer and look at them now.

Similar to what happened at Middlesbrough when Karanka first took over. A bottom half side and mediocre.

If Lambert gets us competing for the play offs this season he will have worked miracles. It is possible, because there will always be one or two surprises and I don't accept that the likes of Cardiff or Ipswich are that much better than us. But given everything we've had to contend with it will probably be a step too far this season.

I hope Lambert does some good work in January and especially next summer to assemble a squad that can expect to challenge at the start of next season.