Lambert’s transfer policy: Right idea, wrong club?
During the summer transfer window, after the initial joy surrounding Lambert’s arrival had subsided, there were already a few murmurings of discontent when we were linked to, and ultimately signed a number of players with no experience of playing in the top flight of English football.
It worked extremely well for him at Norwich, and despite personally wanting to see a few more ‘established’ signings made, we’d appointed Lambert on what he achieved at the Canaries, so really it was of little surprise when we signed a certain type of player. Add to that the desire to bring the wages down at the club, and Lambert did well signing the amount of players he did for around £20 million in total.
Looking at his signings individually, and most have done well. El Ahmadi looks more than comfortable on the ball, and keeps us ticking along nicely, though he looks like he needs help at times. Lowton for the most part has done well, and even though Bennett hasn’t quite reached similar heights on the opposite side (he’s also played less), you can see he has quality. Benteke could have scored five or six already, and when he finds that clinical streak, he’ll be fine. Ron Vlaar has been up there with our players of the season, so no complaints there, and Westwood and Bowery haven’t really featured enough to comment.
After last year though and how we struggled, was this type of transfer policy what we needed? We’re a side in desperate need of some Premiership nous and know how at times, and we lack real top flight experience throughout the team. You look at the players that have left, and although it’s much easier said than done, we haven’t replaced a number of them (This goes for players like Luke Young, Reo-Coker etc, as well as the more obvious ones). Here is the starting eleven for our last game against Fulham, with only a small number playing a decent number of games at the highest level in England:
Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett,
Ireland, El Ahmadi, Delph, Holman,
Bent, Agbonlahor.
In that side it’s only really Ireland, Bent and Agbonlahor who have played in the Premiership for a number of years, and I think it shows at times. It’s tough to not sound hypocritical writing this post, because like I said individually the players signed by Lambert have by and large done well. I felt at the time though we needed more experience, and I still think we do, which will make January’s transfer window pretty interesting.
Of course experience isn’t always a good thing, with Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock and others all lambasted by a number of fans last season. The right player can make a massive difference though, and I wonder if Lambert will continue with his transfer policy going forward. As established club policy certainly has an impact, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a few familiar premiership faces heading to Villa Park.
UTV.
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I agree with much of what you say. I think the signings are good but obviously lack Premiership experience. We really need an established CM player, perhaps a bit of a hardman. KEA looks quality at times on the ball but, at the moment, lacks the pace and physicality of the Premiership. He could be a great signing for us. Ron Vlaar is quality but is still learning about the Premiership and the young lads are still learning their trade. A really exciting signing is Christian Benteke. He has a big presence on the pitch and the goals will come. I hope the press reports regarding Darren Bent are over stated because even if he moves to Liverpool etc he will be “rotated” if he’s not impressing regularly, ask Downing.
I too would like to see a stronger more established centre midfielder joining the ranks, M5 mentioned Downing – I’d like to see him back @ VP on the wing to serve Bent/Benteke/Gabby.
UTV
An established hardman CM is exactly what I would love to see come January M5. We’re crying out for another body in there, and if it’s the right type of player, I think we’d see players like El Ahmadi flourish.
High hopes for Benteke as well, anyone that can get in that Belgium side must be doing something right.
That’s the thing M5. I’m a Bent fan anyway, but even thinking that he might be sold, I can’t see many takers for him.
I hate Downing, but I’d still have him back at VP certainly. In big need of more width and more quality deliveries. Look at Benteke’s two headers during the international break, both came as a result of a simple ball into the box.
I agree with everything said good post. we do need a Cm thats going to battle for the ball and fill the huge gap we have. why not a shot term replacement in NRC he played his heart out for villa week in week out, granted hes not the best and he is getting on but on a short term deal for free i would welcome him back. its worth a punt.
UTV, I think you’ve nailed it with this article. I’ve been saying the same thing to my mates! I think the strategy is sound, and the reason it will work is because of the inherent quality of the players selected (and Holman) – as you’ve discussed in your article. But the big issue is, lack of experience – it’s been our problem all season, and this gives us the question – are we going to build the team and the experience in time, or will it take too long? I’m not phased by our results so far, as long as we begin to improve… one observation is that we are on the cusp of breaking through to some form. An alternative view may be that we aren’t up to it, and are always oing to struggle (ie maybe we need two seasons to stablise, two seasons that we don’t have).