[Archived] Official: Paul Lambert Appointed Blackburn Rovers Manager

[garnersfags]

Judge him after the Jan window

I don't think we can ' judge' him til the end of the season (or christmas 2016), but all we are saying is that performances (not points gained, goals conceded, etc etc) are worse than under GB, and that we are still awaiting an improvement from a single player.

As said by someone earlier, PL is not totally blameless for this.

Often when a new manager initially takes a team backwards, there is an improvement when he is able to sign and release players, but equally as often, the poor run continues and the new man is shown the door within a year.

None of this is judging but I can't remember anyone on here predicting that we may have to endure 10 or more poor performances on the spin before there is a glimmer of improvement.

We all hope, and most of us believe, that he'll turn the club into a strong, challenging unit but my view is that this will not happen if we don't start to perform by March/April.

[ABBEY]

Judge him after the Jan window

Judge him at least 18 months from now

[47er]

He has done some of the job. We are hard to score against.

The problem is other teams only need one goal to win.

If we can get some creativity and passion in midfield and at least one decent striker in the January window then that would make a very significant difference.

It is absolutely the worst mid-field in living memory we have right now.

[Paul]

I love that one of the scrolling ads I see when reading the MB is "Used Rover 75" for sale.

Pretty much sums up our squad.

[sambo]

What is very clear is that this squad is in need of a significant shake up, both in January and in summer.

The last few weeks have shown a combination of players not pulling their weight and lacking the required ability. I expected much more from Lambert with this squad - whilst it is very limited in places, we have seen that there is some potential there for a half decent team. However, we seem to have regressed considerably and look a million miles away from the required standard. However, I am willing to blame the current players rather than Lambert, as this bunch has under-performed for a while now (they are exceeding themselves currently, mind).

I'm not one to get too hung up on playing style, but the football has been dreadful lately as well. We just seem to launch it as high as possible. I'm hoping that's more to do with our squad being poor than being typical of a Lambert 'style', as if it's the latter we won't be going anywhere fast!

January is huge for us - people have alluded to the 'holiday camp' being over, and I am really hoping that's the reason for the decline in some people's performances rather than simple poor management on Lambert's part. The players who seem to be rebelling/acting out against the new regime need to be shipped out as soon as possible.

All in all, it's been very poor so far but it's difficult to glean much until a manager has had a couple of transfer windows and a pre-season to implement his ideas. Yesterday, however, was absolutely woeful and one of the worst performances I've seen watching Rovers - it really was that bad. It was no wonder the fans who went (who I have never seen more muted and quiet) boo and heckle the players as they left the pitch. Yesterday made Bolton look like a half decent performance!

[Pedro]

Lambert needs a couple of winners in the dressing room, a couple of his ex-player who could frighten the life out of a couple of the players on the pitch. We haven't had a leader out there since Samba and Nelsen (apologies if I have forgotten an obvious one).

[tomphil]

Lambert needs a couple of winners in the dressing room, a couple of his ex-player who could frighten the life out of a couple of the players on the pitch. We haven't had a leader out there since Samba and Nelsen (apologies if I have forgotten an obvious one).

We went from leaders all over the pitch to virtually non in no time at all thanks to you know who. A major contribution to relegation. Never been anyone remotely close to what we had since, even the likes of Roberts lead by example on the pitch and probably training ground. No doubt we've had a few self serving loudmouths though imitating leaders !

[RevidgeBlue]

I think few on here, or in the wider community doubt PLs abilities as a manager, however, it seems the players are not happy with his methods. This lot, quite obviously were always going to struggle to finish in the top 6, but under PL they now seem hell-bent on targeting the bottom 3.

This is not a criticism of PL, but more an observation of the modern footballer. We have seen what an unhappy bunch can do to a world-class manager down at Stamford Bridge, and it is looking more like the Rovers players are sulking at PLs training methods going off the declining performances (and I absolutely do not mean they were great under Bowyer!).

The same squad means the same ability, but the application has definitely dropped.

We know he can do it, but it is looking more likely that he will need to bring in maybe more players than first thought to buy into his ideas.

Great post TD.

[USABlue]

I think he can turn it around, but we sacked Berg and Appleton after slightly more games than Lambert has had.

The football has been eeringly similar to under Appleton and we look devoid of any creativity. Let's get some new signings in and let's change our 'hammer it 80 yards upfield' approach.

Our direct style would make Big Sam blush.

3 wins in 7 vs 3 wins in 17. Granted it does not look good at the moment and I am somewhat disappointed after PL's speeches early doors. I genuinely believed he would get more out of this lot than he has. However we could not continue down the road with GB and let's give this fella time and some signings of his own and let's see if he can live up to his own hype.

I hope he has top notch fitness people in cos my gut feel is he's over trained this lot. Bit like a fighter, come the day of they just don't have it.

[USABlue]

I think few on here, or in the wider community doubt PLs abilities as a manager, however, it seems the players are not happy with his methods. This lot, quite obviously were always going to struggle to finish in the top 6, but under PL they now seem hell-bent on targeting the bottom 3.

This is not a criticism of PL, but more an observation of the modern footballer. We have seen what an unhappy bunch can do to a world-class manager down at Stamford Bridge, and it is looking more like the Rovers players are sulking at PLs training methods going off the declining performances (and I absolutely do not mean they were great under Bowyer!).

The same squad means the same ability, but the application has definitely dropped.

We know he can do it, but it is looking more likely that he will need to bring in maybe more players than first thought to buy into his ideas.

Right in line with what I was saying a little while back. I truly hope this is the case because it will be a real test for Lambert, has he sussed these types and how will he handle it. My guess that while the market has been closed he has had to be a little bit soft, now it is open, if he has his targets lined up, we will see some of the players that are perhaps missing GB jettisoned PDQ.

We went from leaders all over the pitch to virtually non in no time at all thanks to you know who. A major contribution to relegation. Never been anyone remotely close to what we had since, even the likes of Roberts lead by example on the pitch and probably training ground. No doubt we've had a few self serving loudmouths though imitating leaders !

Might not have had the legs anymore but we could sure use a few with Salgado's heart and desire down here. How blessed were we? Nelsen, Savage even the Stephen Reids, many players prepared to roll up their sleeves and do a job.

[Mike E]

One of the best things to happen to Rovers was RVP running into Andy Todd's elbow. The media furore and subsequent bullyboy tag did wonders for us under Hughes.

We need a leader, some hard buggers and a man in the middle who can pass.

Think how tough our squad once was:

Friedel, Neill, Todd, Short, Amoruso, Nelsen, Matteo, McEveley, Gray, Emerton, Flitcroft, Tugay, Mokoena, Savage, Reid, Dickov.

Not a great side in 2004-05, but woe betide any and every opposition player.

[oldjamfan1]

I think few on here, or in the wider community doubt PLs abilities as a manager, however, it seems the players are not happy with his methods. This lot, quite obviously were always going to struggle to finish in the top 6, but under PL they now seem hell-bent on targeting the bottom 3.

This is not a criticism of PL, but more an observation of the modern footballer. We have seen what an unhappy bunch can do to a world-class manager down at Stamford Bridge, and it is looking more like the Rovers players are sulking at PLs training methods going off the declining performances (and I absolutely do not mean they were great under Bowyer!).

The same squad means the same ability, but the application has definitely dropped.

We know he can do it, but it is looking more likely that he will need to bring in maybe more players than first thought to buy into his ideas.

Bang on the money this, nice one TDI

One of the best things to happen to Rovers was RVP running into Andy Todd's elbow. The media furore and subsequent bullyboy tag did wonders for us under Hughes.

We need a leader, some hard buggers and a man in the middle who can pass.

Think how tough our squad once was:

Friedel, Neill, Todd, Short, Amoruso, Nelsen, Matteo, McEveley, Gray, Emerton, Flitcroft, Tugay, Mokoena, Savage, Reid, Dickov.

Not a great side in 2004-05, but woe betide any and every opposition player.

To be fair Mike I think we already had that tag before the semi final with Arsenal. The touchstone for that was when Robben broke his ankle at Ewood a few months earlier and The Special One started mouthing off. Your points are totally spot on though.

[sambo]

One of the best things to happen to Rovers was RVP running into Andy Todd's elbow. The media furore and subsequent bullyboy tag did wonders for us under Hughes.

We need a leader, some hard buggers and a man in the middle who can pass.

Think how tough our squad once was:

Friedel, Neill, Todd, Short, Amoruso, Nelsen, Matteo, McEveley, Gray, Emerton, Flitcroft, Tugay, Mokoena, Savage, Reid, Dickov.

Not a great side in 2004-05, but woe betide any and every opposition player.

We had some really tough players back then.

Even as we challenged for Europe, it's significant that a number of these characters remained at the core of the team.

We haven't had anything close to this in recent years.

[Colt Seavers]

He has done some of the job. We are hard to score against.

The problem is other teams only need one goal to win.

If we can get some creativity and passion in midfield and at least one decent striker in the January window then that would make a very significant difference.

It is absolutely the worst mid-field in living memory we have right now.

I agree with that. I always thought the late 80s pairing of Nicky Reid and John Millar was lacking creativity and guile ( although it was quite brutal), but they had the likes of Sellars, Garner and Gayle creating havoc for the opposition. Where is that marauding, expansive football now?

[oldjamfan1]

I agree with that. I always thought the late 80s pairing of Nicky Reid and John Millar was lacking creativity and guile ( although it was quite brutal), but they had the likes of Sellars, Garner and Gayle creating havoc for the opposition. Where is that marauding, expansive football now?

With the benefit of hindsight I would say that the pair of them were Tugay-esque compared to the current crop.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

3 wins in 7 vs 3 wins in 17.

That's the crux of the matter. We've all been disappointed by recent results but some of the comments in this topic and the relegation thread have thrown logic out of the country, never mind out of the window.

If Lambert is even marginally better than Bowyer then its still been a good decision to appoint him, and at the moment he's still doing considerably better than Bowyer. Unless of course we're talking about the ever elusive quality of "good football", in which case anyone can be described as being better or worse than anyone else, depending on the entirely subjective and frequently biased opinion of the fan in question.

Personally I only ever judge managers on results. Lambert is doing a better job than Bowyer, if we don't win any of our next 11 games, then I'll join his critics.

[onlyonejackwalker]

That's the crux of the matter. We've all been disappointed by recent results but some of the comments in this topic and the relegation thread have thrown logic out of the country, never mind out of the window.

If Lambert is even marginally better than Bowyer then its still been a good decision to appoint him, and at the moment he's still doing considerably better than Bowyer. Unless of course we're talking about the ever elusive quality of "good football", in which case anyone can be described as being better or worse than anyone else, depending on the entirely subjective and frequently biased opinion of the fan in question.

Personally I only ever judge managers on results. Lambert is doing a better job than Bowyer, if we don't win any of our next 11 games, then I'll join his critics.

Quite right. To be fair though it was only really Blueboy333 going seriously ballistic. A bit odd really as he's normally more knowledgeable and balanced. Months of sticking up for Bowyer must have been tougher than I imagined.

Anyway, with any change there is inevitably a period of learning, settling and adjustment. Pleasingly we got a couple of flukey wins early doors which took some pressure off Lambert and gave us hope to dream again. Recent losses have made success this season highly unlikely, but that's much more to do with our first seventeen games than the last five weeks or so.

I remain quietly confident of improved times ahead. Even the 1-0 defeats with little attacking intent don't trouble me too much. Or the terrible football. Hopefully it's one step backwards to go three steps forward and as Bowyers supporters frequently reminded me, managers need time.

On the subject of terrible football, we simply do not look or play football in a manner that pleases and haven't done for years. I'm not talking PL quality with Tugay, but even Brotherstone, Millar, Garner and Sellars would light up this team for example. Still, winning comes first for now but I do hope we can find an entertaining pattern of play we can both enjoy and stick to going forward.

[Mattyblue]

My only worry is that the players either do not like the bloke, his methods or both.

In my opinion, three years of the chum-ocracy under Gaz has created a weak, coddled bunch, who may just not warm to Lambert.

Fine, get rid of the buggers! Easier said then done on our budget. I really hope Lambert has been given free reign to rip up and start again, otherwise I don't see much hope with tis squad.

[punerover]

My only worry is that the players either do not like the bloke, his methods or both.

In my opinion, three years of the chum-ocracy under Gaz has created a weak, coddled bunch, who may just not warm to Lambert.

Fine, get rid of the buggers! Easier said then done on our budget. I really hope Lambert has been given free reign to rip up and start again, otherwise I don't see much hope with tis squad.

Agreed. But if you loose the entire/most of the dressing room its usually the manager that gets the sack. AKA Cheski

[Kamy100]

It is now abundantly clear that the attitude towards the end of Bowyer’s reign was one of very low expectations and as others have said “a holiday camp” mentality.

Lambert arrived and initially got some results with the introduction of new training methods etc, however the style of play that Lambert is trying to get the players to play (high pressing) is bloody hard work and after the initial “bounce” the players are reverting to type and it seems not willing to put in the hardwork in order to play in the way that Lambert wants. Klopp (albeit in vastly different circumstance) is facing a similar problem at Liverpool, the players have realised that what he is asking them to do requires a phenomenal amount of hardwork and it seems they aren’t upto it.

This is now a test of Lambert’s managerial skills, does he stick to his vision for the club and ship out those that aren’t buying into what he wants, or does between now at the end of the season change what he is asking players to do to get some results and buy himself sometime. This is all further compounded by the fact the despite being out of transfer embargo Rovers are having to operate in very careful manner so it makes an overhaul of the squad very difficult.

While performances have been very poor under Lambert he should be afford more time than just 11 games before making any judgements on whether he is the right man to take us forward. We only have to look at Mark Hughes when he took over at Rovers (again it was completely different circumstances) but he took just 15 points from his first 45, that was because the players that he had would not fit into his style of play, it took 2 transfer windows before he got the team playing in the way he wanted.

[JHRover]

That's the crux of the matter. We've all been disappointed by recent results but some of the comments in this topic and the relegation thread have thrown logic out of the country, never mind out of the window.

If Lambert is even marginally better than Bowyer then its still been a good decision to appoint him, and at the moment he's still doing considerably better than Bowyer. Unless of course we're talking about the ever elusive quality of "good football", in which case anyone can be described as being better or worse than anyone else, depending on the entirely subjective and frequently biased opinion of the fan in question.

Personally I only ever judge managers on results. Lambert is doing a better job than Bowyer, if we don't win any of our next 11 games, then I'll join his critics.

I was talking to someone yesterday who was saying that Lambert had brought 'no improvement' to Rovers since he arrived.

I then pointed out that even after 3 consecutive defeats Lambert has won the same number of games in 7 attempts as Bowyer managed in 17 attempts. Therefore the simple fact is that in terms of wins we have improved under Lambert.

I'm not interested in performances or style of play. I'd happily watch more of the same as we saw at Cardiff and Bolton if it was us on the right side of a narrow 1-0 win and not the wrong side. The only thing I am going to judge Lambert on is results. So far he has done better than Bowyer results wise, and that is despite inheriting Bowyer's squad and having to work with those limitations whilst implementing a new training regime.

I was a Bowyer fan, and still am, but from a results perspective 3 wins from 17 league games is simply unacceptable. Lambert's 3 wins from 7 if replicated over a whole season would be more than acceptable. Obviously that might not happen, and we will have to buck up our ideas to even come close, but it is slow steps.

[A cup of beans]

Post of the year, so far, Kamy.

Although PL is far from blameless, especially with some suspect team selections and particularly the fullbacks and wingers siting too deep, the fact that we've used at least 3 different systems shows

90 % of the blame can be placed at the players with poor attitudes or limited ability, and sometimes both.

[den]

I'm not sure what we're seeing is down to the players not being willing to put in the hard work Kamy. I think it's more a case of the pressing football he refers to, requiring players with both pace and strength - of which we have very few. I posted on here after the PNE game that he might have to make some decisions about this squad, because it was patently obvious that a lot of them couldn't perform in that scenario. I hoped then and still hope, that he doesn't abandon the way he wants to play, in a half hearted compromise just to keep some of them happy. This squad isn't good enough to play a higher tempo game, or even a slower tempo game. I hope he sticks to his guns and does things his way - no matter how many players have to leave, or who they are.

[RevidgeBlue]

My only worry is that the players either do not like the bloke, his methods or both.

In my opinion, three years of the chum-ocracy under Gaz has created a weak, coddled bunch, who may just not warm to Lambert.

Fine, get rid of the buggers! Easier said then done on our budget. I really hope Lambert has been given free reign to rip up and start again, otherwise I don't see much hope with tis squad.

Nail, hammer, head. (Imo)

[oldjamfan1]

I'm not sure what we're seeing is down to the players not being willing to put in the hard work Kamy. I think it's more a case of the pressing football he refers to, requiring players with both pace and strength - of which we have very few. I posted on here after the PNE game that he might have to make some decisions about this squad, because it was patently obvious that a lot of them couldn't perform in that scenario. I hoped then and still hope, that he doesn't abandon the way he wants to play, in a half hearted compromise just to keep some of them happy. This squad isn't good enough to play a higher tempo game, or even a slower tempo game. I hope he sticks to his guns and does things his way - no matter how many players have to leave, or who they are.

I would echo this, and Mattyblue's posts, and implore supporters to be patient during this process. It may have to get even worse before it gets better.