[Archived] Official: Paul Lambert Appointed Blackburn Rovers Manager

[PLJPB]

I'm using the same standards for the new manager that you and many others used for the last one.

Double-standards indeed.

No you are not. You are judging after 7 games. Nobody judged Bowyer so early in his tenure.

[patrickvalery]

''Massive demolition job'' more appropriate.

I'm sorry but i find it incredible that any Rovers fan can say this. I'm gobsmacked.

I don't recall many (if at all any) fan who was happy with our squad when Bowyer got the job. But now he demolished what was a good squad and built a crap one?

I can accept it if people think the squad he built was crap. But don't tell me he dismantled a functioning side because he felt like it.

[Rover_Shaun]

I'm sure many realise that giving a past promotion winning manager more rope than an over promoted cone collector is only logical.

[USABlue]

Must be my age. The town was buzzing when we appointed Lambert! We lose one game and not reached the transfer window yet and the above is on the board. PL has probably been assessing the squad to see what he has like Souness did a few years ago. Give him chance.

True, how long did it take Mssrs, Souness, Hughes, Kendall, Furphy to actually start to turn it around. If memory serves.all of them had less than good starts.

The received wisdom was always that we have a top 6 squad that was being mismanaged by Bowyer.

Well, Lambert's had time to make his mark and the team looks no better and possibly even more sterile than under Bowyer.

So as the only constant is the squad the conclusion must be that Lambert is no better a manager than Bowyer.

Yet he has got as many wins as Bowyer did in less than half the games, you can't say Bowyer is better until Lamberts had 3 years with us. Stop stirring the pot.

How long till the Lambert out thread?

[AllRoverAsia]

I'm sorry but i find it incredible that any Rovers fan can say this. I'm gobsmacked.

I don't recall many (if at all any) fan who was happy with our squad when Bowyer got the job. But now he demolished what was a good squad and built a crap one?

I can accept it if people think the squad he built was crap. But don't tell me he dismantled a functioning side because he felt like it.

You are right. I posted in too much haste and demolition was completely the wrong word. That would intimate that Bowyer inherited a decent squad which he did not.

It would have been better as 'it was a tacking together of inferior players resulting in a crap squad''

EDIT: Looking again at the number of players that exited under Bowyer 'demolition' whilst a provocative word is as accurate as just saying that the inherited squad was 'dismantled" and rebuilt with tinderwood, apart I'll grant some notable exceptions. PL then inherited a very poor squad as is being proven.

As far as your opening line is concerned I'll be kind & generous and let it pass - you don't know me. One thing I never do is call into question a fellow Fans integrity when it is plainly obvious they are long term Rovers. I better stop.

[47er]

To summarise the narrative arc on this board over the last 8 weeks:

Pre-Lambert:

Bowyer, while having a reasonable eye for a player, had the team hopelessly under performing because he was a rubbish coach and motivator. He also benefitted from the unstoppable scoring machine that is Jordan Rhodes who would ordinarily have all but guaranteed promotion.

Lambert Phase I:

Lamberts wins came because, unlike Bowyer, he knew how to win games and we would have lost them under Bowyer. He's getting the players in shape and more focused as we head up the table. Just shows what a proper manager can do.

Lambert Phase II:

The last few games show just what an appalling, relegation-bound squad Bowyer had recruited. No-one could possibly improve this rabble in only six weeks. Rhodes is a lazy, disinterested cart horse who should be sold before breakfast on Jan 1.

Have I missed anything?

You've given us your take on how you think the MB has been operating recently. Fair enough but it is your take and only you can decide whether you missed anything or not. Its not a factual thing.

[47er]

I'm sorry but i find it incredible that any Rovers fan can say this. I'm gobsmacked.

I don't recall many (if at all any) fan who was happy with our squad when Bowyer got the job. But now he demolished what was a good squad and built a crap one?

I can accept it if people think the squad he built was crap. But don't tell me he dismantled a functioning side because he felt like it.

I agree with you re the first bit.

My summation is that Bowyer inherited a crap squad then brought in 40 players building up another crap squad.

In other words, he took us right back to the start.

[Tom]

Interesting point that when Lambert took over we were 11 points behind the playoffs, we went to within a few points but are currently 12 points off the playoffs at this point (with a game in hand)

I said at the time and stand by that this season is one of transition, mid table with a solid platform to push on next season would do me however next year we need to be challenging for the play offs.

[imy9]

I agree with you re the first bit.

My summation is that Bowyer inherited a crap squad then brought in 40 players building up another crap squad.

In other words, he took us right back to the start.

where we disagree would be that we sold Gestede and Cairney for 10 million. this took us out of the transfer embargo. include those two in the current team and genuinely think that we would be a top 6 team.

[47er]

Gestede we deinitely miss, if Rhodes didn't score, usually he did.

Cairney blew hot and cold though.

The problem is in the replacements.

[DE.]

where we disagree would be that we sold Gestede and Cairney for 10 million. this took us out of the transfer embargo. include those two in the current team and genuinely think that we would be a top 6 team.

Technically Venkys writing off 3m in shares got us out of the embargo. Selling Gestede and Cairney was also their decision, Bowyer wanted to keep both. Credit to him for making them that valuable, but ultimately their sales left us with a team closer to relegation candidates than playoff contenders.

[BlueMonday]

A genuine question to those that are angry with or having a go at Lambert. What did you expect to happen that hasn't since he arrived. And what could he have done differently in that time to satisfy you?

[patrickvalery]

A genuine question to those that are angry with or having a go at Lambert. What did you expect to happen that hasn't since he arrived. And what could he have done differently in that time to satisfy you?

I'm certainly not angry or having a go at Lambert. I'm delighted he's here. But i'd still like to answer the question.

I hoped his arrival would have lifted the squad and given them the belief they could produce regular good performances. I was one who felt this side had pockets of talent and thought the arrival of Lambert might eek more out of them. Maybe elevate poor players to an average level and average players to a good level.

If i'm being totally honest, i'm a little concerned that i can't see the way he wants us to play. I hear a lot about pressing the opposition. But so what? Whats the plan when we get the ball? It seems to me our best attacking player is Conway. But his main strength is slinging balls in from out wide all day long. The trouble is the players he's aiming for don't excel in that department. But he can't be blamed for the personnel he has at his disposal.

I've been very disappointed with Marshall but he seems to be that sort of player. Blows hot. Then cold. Then colder. Then stops blowing altogether,

IMO the side is too nice. A soft touch. Bowyer weeded out the rotten eggs and that had to be done. But in doing so the pendulum swung too far the other way. This team needs a nasty side. Some players who demand high standards and lead by example. Not easy to find though. Especially if you want them to play football too!

[oldjamfan1]

It's the internets. Most of the people on here are protected by anonymity. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if the likes of Blueboy3333 & Roverzee turned out to have ties to the old regime. Not because I disagree with their views but because of their double-standards to the current manager and their vociferous defence of the former incumbent.

There is another possibility, connected to Lambert's seven year stint playing for a team in green and white hoops, that might make one of the posters you've mentioned have cause to criticise/dislike him........

[Baz]

Sad to say theres not a single member of the current squad Id be gutted to lose in the transfer window. In 30 odd years of supporting Rovers, thats the first time I have ever felt that way.

It's a terrible squad assembled by GB, that at present Lambert isn't getting the best out of.

[roverandout]

Messageboard ambience back at minus 10 again

[AllRoverAsia]

Messageboard ambience back at minus 10 again

Storm GaryPaul in full force. A lot of high wind and hot air expected.

[tomphil]

A genuine question to those that are angry with or having a go at Lambert. What did you expect to happen that hasn't since he arrived. And what could he have done differently in that time to satisfy you?

I think the only real thing that can be aimed at Lambert is he perhaps was under the impression the squad was better/stronger than it is. He's finding out now for sure and his big dilemma is keep trying to mould them into what he wants pretty quickly or alter it to something they are more familiar with.

Problem is I don't think either way will yield much in the way of results. We are stuck in a rut this season for various reasons and it may get worse before it gets better.

[Gav]

......

[Exiled in Toronto]

I think the only real thing that can be aimed at Lambert is he perhaps was under the impression the squad was better/stronger than it is. He's finding out now for sure and his big dilemma is keep trying to mould them into what he wants pretty quickly or alter it to something they are more familiar with.

Problem is I don't think either way will yield much in the way of results. We are stuck in a rut this season for various reasons and it may get worse before it gets better.

From on here until two weeks ago most likely

[philipl]

Whilst PL's interview post-match was refreshingly honest he doesn't seem too concerned by the lack of goals, or indeed chances that we are creating. They always say that if you're going through a barron spell but still creating chances then the goals will eventually come but if you're not...

Players needed, and fast.

Yes I noticed that- he must have his incomers lined up. As for the outgoers, all he needs is a skip after Bolton...

GB did pick up some good players but sadly all he could find in the last two windows under the Shaw-inspired transfer embargo was other folks' useless cast-offs.

[Stuart]

Yes I noticed that- he must have his incomers lined up. As for the outgoers, all he needs is a skip after Bolton...

GB did pick up some good players but sadly all he could find in the last two windows under the Shaw-inspired transfer embargo was other folks' useless cast-offs.

All of Bowyer's "good players" are still mainstays in our skip-worthy first team.

I think that someone else nailed it on here though. Bowyer gave our teams a soft underbelly; players who were kept happy by being rotated and we have nobody who can put a boot in. Lambert has come in and instilled a tougher mentality into our defence but needs to change the mentality of the squad.

Something I thought was telling against Bolton was that our passing was really really bad. Perhaps Bolton worked harder but there was a lot of panic when anyone had the ball. The number of times we gave the ball away cheaply in midfield was beyond ridiculous. Maybe there is some fear that they are about to be jettisoned and they are struggling to cope with the change from being protected to being required to show what they are capable of. But that's football, your career lives and dies by results - managers or players. For too long it seemed like Bowyer was immune and that translates to players.

[ABBEY]

A genuine question to those that are angry with or having a go at Lambert. What did you expect to happen that hasn't since he arrived. And what could he have done differently in that time to satisfy you?

Good question

[PeteJD13]

I have had to give up on some of the fb groups fans calling for lamberts head already 'we would never have lost under GB etc', its worse now than under GB its enough to give you a headache. I really don't know what people expect I was there Sunday yes it was poor, on another day those Lawrence chances go in and you nick it 2 1.

[47er]

From on here until two weeks ago most likely

Using your own tactic, who thought this way? I didn't for one. Since PL was first appointed I've been consistently saying we had little or no chance of promotion this season and that the rest of it should be seen as a period when we set ourselves up for a real push next.

Tom M has consistently said the same. There are plenty of others I can't remember and can't be bothered looking up.

So lets stop with the "Straw-man"style of arguing.

If a minority went a little bonkers when PL was appointed, we can hardly blame them. First good news in 5 years and all that.