In 1995 Motherwell embarked on an unlikely Uefa Cup run which saw them come up against Borusssia Dortmund.
They’d eventually lose over two legs to the German side but so impressed was Dortmund manager Omar Hitzfeld with the performance of Paul Lambert, he signed the midfielder the following season.
In a solitary campaign at the Westfalenstadion Lambert would become a stalwart in a team that defeated Juventus to win the Champions League.
He produced a man of the match performance in that final to cancel out the influence of Zinedine Zidane as Dortmund ran out 3-1 winners.
Soon after he was back in Scotland helping Celtic regain the initiative from Rangers. He’d spend eight years at Parkhead winning every domestic honour going, as well as reaching the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, in which the Scots were narrowly edged out in extra time by Jose Mourinho’s Porto.
He was also part of the last Scotland side to qualify for a major tournament, representing them at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Heady heights for Lambert, who’d begun his playing career modestly with seven years at St. Mirren before his move to Motherwell set the international journey in motion.
His early management career was similarly low profile, earning his spurs with a short lived stint as player/coach at Livingston.
It was a tough induction for Lambert who would only win a handful of matches before resigning after less than a season in charge.
Even so, Maurice Smith, a Livingston director at the time knew their man was going places. Speaking before Lambert was about to take charge at Aston Villa he commented to the BBC:
“You knew from the beginning that Paul was always going to be a successful manager because he’s got that drive and attitude.”
“He’s not an outgoing character. He doesn’t sit around telling you great tales about when he played against Zidane. He has a lot of humility and is very much his own man.”
“I think his training and approach to players is borrowed from Hitzfeld. He was a huge admirer of his. And I think it was because of Hitzfeld he deliberately did his coaching badges in Germany.
“I’m almost disappointed he might end up at Villa. I think he’ll end up at a bigger club than that.”
But the Premier League was still some way off for Lambert whose next stop was League Two Wycombe Wanderers where he’d go on to enjoy far greater success than he’d enjoyed north of the border.
Ivor Beeks, chairman at the time remembers his early exchanges with Lambert fondly and is frequently asked about comparisons with another former Chairboys manager who went on to enjoy great success in Martin O’Neill.
“He’s (Lambert) not easy to understand. You need an interpreter with him and he doesn’t actually give a brilliant interview. But you just get a feeling for somebody. We really did warm to the guy.”
“He is his own man. But some of those mannerisms are very similar. Martin was a bit moody at times if something didn’t go his way and Paul was a bit like that.
They were both very polite with me. But Martin would blow and so would Paul at times. You’d just walk out the way.”
In two seasons in Buckinghamshire Lambert guided Wycombe to the League Two playoffs (where they’d lose over two legs to Stockport County in what would prove his final games in charge) but it was a League Cup run that would increase the profile of the young manager.
Premier League Charlton and Fulham were both defeated as Wycombe made it all the way to the semi-finals becoming the first fourth tier club in 30 years to journey that deep into the competition.
They held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of that semi-final but Shevchenko and Lampard both scored twice in a more one-sided contest at Stamford Bridge.
All the same, midfielder Matt Bloomfied recalls the influence of Lambert:
“I remember being so impressed with him on a matchday and his ability to get the most possible out of every single player.”
“He makes you achieve to your maximum. He could make you feel like a million dollars. But he knew how to bring you down a peg or two as well. If you did well for him he would look after you. That was the deal.”
“That Glaswegian comes out of him at times. If players aren’t doing the business you know about it.”
Lambert couldn’t get Wycombe out of League Two but his performance had been enough to earn himself a promotion to League One Colchester.
A midtable season (in which the U’s flirted with the play-offs) followed before an extraordinary start to the following campaign would see Lambert’s stock skyrocket.
After humbling Norwich City 7-1 on the opening day, the Carrow Road club promptly poached him as their coach.
David McNally, Canaries chief executive at the time refuted the idea that Lambert was hired on the basis of that one match, citing deeper analysis.
‘We looked at the criteria that we agreed as a board and clearly he came to the top of the pile in terms of who we wanted to go after.’
‘We wanted somebody who could motivate the players, galvanise the team, most importantly who could improve the players on the coaching pitch day-in, day-out and somebody with managerial experience in the lower leagues. His track record is very, very sound.’
“In isolation the game (the 7-1 defeat) isn’t really connected with what we’ve done. It was a bad day at the office for us, it was not a freak result it was a very poor performance and one that we all struggled to get over.
“But in isolation it was one game, we’ve taken the decision to change the manager based on seven months not one game.”
It proved one of the shrewdest decisions in modern football as two year later Norwich were back in the Premier League having not lost consecutive games at any point during two blip-free seasons.
Successive promotions didn’t go unnoticed and Lambert found himself linked to every job going. It was clear the Canaries would face difficulties in retaining his services.
Top flight status was preserved with a 12th place finish in the 2011-12 season as the Scot proved he could not only get a team into the Premier League, but keep them there with room to spare. Stock still rising.
Aston Villa came calling in the summer and the opportunity to try and improve the fortunes of a perceived ‘bigger club’ proved an impossible challenge to resist.
Norwich weren’t happy, in much the same way Colchester hadn’t been about his previous career move. But it was still the same outcome, Lambert chose his path.
With a reputation as a serial careerist, the switch to Villa Park must have seemed like a smart decision but would ultimately end in perceived failure.
For two and a half seasons, Villa flirted with a relegation that increasingly felt inevitable before Lambert was finally sent packing with the club 18th in the table.
Despite guiding the Villains to the semi-final of the League Cup (which ended in defeat to League Two Bradford City), twice maintaining their top flight status and recruiting the likes of Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke, the upward trajectory of a promising career had been emphatically halted.
But rather than rest on his laurels or wait for the phone to ring with the next opportunity, Lambert took himself back to Germany where he shadowed the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola to further his own education.
Another questionable decision followed with the Scot re-entering the fray at Blackburn Rovers, a club in constant disarray and looking anxiously over their shoulder in the Championship table.
In six months at Ewood Park he guided them to safety with a midtable finish before choosing to leave when it became apparent the owner’s ambitions didn’t tally with his own.
And it’s now, several months on that his path neatly diverges with Wolves.
His time at Aston Villa will continue to divide opinion, but all things considered it’s difficult not to be impressed with Lambert’s credentials.
A student of the game, he’s played at the very highest level and continually aligned himself with the biggest names in the sport to enhance his own knowledge and understanding.
He craves the platform to prove he belongs among the very best. Wolves have the resources but lack the know-how.
This could prove his crowning achievement or his managerial nadir, but for the moment it’s simply a marriage of convenience.
And sometimes those end up being the ones that last longest.
After today can only welcome with open arms ! Hope and pray he can sort us out. Still behind the new owners they admit they are on a learning curve. At least you can feel there desire and ambition something we had to live entirely without last season.
It seems at the very worst he is nowhere near as bad as the last maanger to follow a failed foreign manager and we won’t find ourselves sinking to League One with a squad and funds far above that. I will call myself cautiously optimistic but the only way to truly know how well or how poorly Lambert will do will be to see his effect on this team.
Not conceding in the first fifteen minutes is all I’m asking for now. I’m not asking for much…am I?
Ha, mid-table finish….i’d settle for that right now.
Well, we wanted out of this league – we very well might have it.
Shame we didn’t appoint Lambert when Fosun took over. He will make a serious and committed head coach. This may take time and we have to be patient but in the short term we should see stabilisation and then progress.
A great article Thomas ,very well researched ( l am a journalist) ,well done.I do think Wolves have got the talent despite the recent inconsistent performances.We need two central defenders,a striker, and a leader in my view.Add to that a good Manager(Lambert) who can motivate the players and develop good tactics and an owner with some considerable funds,and we have a good chance of success.
Good luck Paul Lambert, it’s never an easy trip with Wolves but you I have a good feeling about the future.
As I said on the last thread, his last two jobs have clouded people’s judgement of him. He managed to keep Villa up when they were a sinking ship, which looking at what subsequently happened was some achievement.
Did a fantastic job at Norwich, who were on their knees when he went in. Blackburn was never going to work with the ownership shambles and he clearly realised that.
I believe he’ll be able to turn us around, if given time. Hopefully he will be allowed to buy some proven Championship players.
Fosun must sanction that. They have realised a proven manager is needed, so hopefully they also know proven players at this level are also a must and the only way will achieve success.
Didn’t turn up for the first half yet again, ref’ very poor yet again but we showed fighting spirit. Didn’t rate Lambert till I read his CV, impressive to say the least. Lets all get behind him. COYW.
Welcome Mr Lambert.
The first thing you should do is make Dangerous Dave captain and rest Danny Batth.
I’m sure there’s a decent centre half in there somewhere but he needs to go back to basics to find himself again.
Then thank CBJ and send him on his way.
After that you’ll have your hands full trying to pick the bones out of a bloated squad and put a TEAM together.
Surely it should be possible to put together eleven players who can compete in this division.
Although it seems to have been beyond the ability of your predecessor.
Then all you have to do is to identify the six players you need in the transfer window and get permission to sign them.
The rest will be plain sailing.
Best of luck mate.
You’re going to need it.
In my view I don’t think we necessary need a lot of new players. If Lambert manages to mold the players into a team, a unit. Edwards will definetly continue to be one of the key players. Bodvarson and Dicko are quality players, and I don’t think it will take long before they start to show their capability once again. Costa is an star act, and Cavaleiro’s potential is huge. On paper we probably have the best team in the division. We’ll probably need one striker if not Gladon begin to manifest some of his potential. The defence were good enough under Jackett. If not I’m sure a quality central defender will be signed up in january.
Great article one thing sticks out about Lambert he his OWN man thank god we’ve had to many yes men and experiments if Lambert doesn’t get his way he will say so and thank fuck for that……I like him for that alone its says to me I’m going to do it my way or the highway.
I hope and pray he told Jeff that because the owners need to be told by Lambert, im the coach ill deal with all football matters yes I will consult you but I’m going to make the FINAL decision espeacilly when it comes to buying players.
He’s a moody fucker by all accounts but so was O’Niel and if he’s as successful as him ill be happy. He not one for the limelight he’s not a self publiasised he only interested in the job at hand.
I have it admit he not my first choice but saying that he’s the best that’s available out there his record speaks for its self. He doesn’t suffer fools which mean we will see some departures.
Welcome to Wolves Paul we are a fickle bunch a demanding bunch but you get it right and you will not see better support in the country….no t.he world.
Prefered formation when he coached Norwich: 4-4-2. Norwich played a direct style of football, which is not surprising when we know what kind of football Dortmund and his tutor prefered. It’s pretty close to Klopp’s take on the game. And his philosophy should be a good fit with the players we already have in the squad. Work capacity is perhaps the most important ingredient if his philosophy is going to work efficently. I remember Norwich being one of the teams with highest workrate when he coached them.
Let the Lambert era begin!
Today`s performance against Derby gave clear indication of the mammoth task ahead for Mr.Lambert. In no particular order, we urgently need:
** a commanding central defender able to organize our defense. Nice guy as he is, DB is just not good enough at this level. If we keep on conceding in the first 15 minutes of every game we will keep on losing.
** a new captain able to motivate the team on the field. Leadership is sorely lacking
** A striker able to take reasonable chances with some reliability. If we keep on failing to convert straightforward opportunities, we cannot hope to get a result.
** consistent tactics and team selection. Such consistency is the only proven way to progress.
Hopefully Mr Lambert will be able to directly influence the content of the squad, — both in terms of recruitment of new blood, but also in determining who within the present bloated squad needs to exit. Goodness only knows, but must we have at least 10 supposed first team squad members, who are just not good enough to play for any team in the Championship. The need to trim the squad is surely as important as the need to add to it. Please Mr Lambert let`s concentrate on quality rather than quantity.
Concise regarding research and I stand corrected when I thought that Colchester beat norwich 5-0 ..I obviously only remembered when they were 5-0 up then at the time and thought Jesus- Deliah was going to hit the bottle again..Massive local news..
Mr Deliah gets involved and Lambert is suddenly at Carrow Rd and on a rebuild.
*So Mr Lambert…*
Wolves need to rebuild too and as everyone here knows with my whining please please please build from the back…we are like a sieve..
We have 2 very good goalies …Iorfa (the giraffe on ice) has lost his way and completely lacks what was his previous signature..attacking down the wing …his career currently is being magnified by being skinned constantly by wingers..
CBJ as tricky as he is is no defender and gets embarrassed by a stronger attacker lacks commitment as a loan player..Doherty is the only defender currently worth his place ..gets out of position as he is a frustrated attacker and can hit the ball as we’ve seen with a blinding goal in the past ..
DB.-Is no Captain ..ludicrous choice and which is his downfall ..if Williamson was fit he should of been the Captain and Batth would of learnt from him..It must be touch or go to let DB go but I put my life in it with a good coach and by the side of an experienced no5 he could come back to haunt us.
House not good enough needs more experience next to a good no 5 not DB obviously..Steers ..kamakazi throw yourself on the floor defender please get rid of put on the shelf with EEL (keep him on loan at least 100 miles away ) my nightmare uncoordinated KJ type of player..
So that leaves the current Portuguese mob..they have all struggled to fit in get kicked off the ball and could go into our oscar section ..they act as if they are shot dead ..drop down on the pitch in a split second..i.e. they feint free kicks constantly…
The championship must mystify them as they are like fish out of water except one player …Costa who is brilliant…
That leaves Coady price Saville Wallace..Coady being the only one that we should keep IMO runs for England and can speak with an accent worse than you Mr Lambert.
Dave Edwards fantastic club player has limitations ..Ice man brilliant ..Dicko still getting there..Jordan Graham wonderful when fit..
Oh I forgot to mention two players sitting on benches somewhere else ..
Sako …bring him back and Molyneux will transform into a heady Villa park at its best type atmosphere (we desperately need this )and give us all a chance to forgive Afobe (the division’s highest goal scorer once) and bring him back too…
Conclusion is – Spend all of Fosuns money and more to bring in a Class no 5 plus 4 more players inc a marquee striker..tread carefully with only 1-2 Portuguese players…good luck with that lol..
We really ought to be putting a team together 2 thirds of which should perform well in the PL give or take another £100M…
Sell yourself to Mendes ..easier said than done I know ..
but you can’t say Wolves have no potential ..with our money we now belong with the Liverpools of this world and your mate Jurgen Klopp …
Wembly and the play offs here we come..
Who says Afobe even wants to come back.
I will NEVER forgive Afobe. He stopped playing for us well before he left. His attitude stinks. And Sako was a luxury player.
I have already spoken to Paul anyway, and he is of the same mindset and won’t bring back players that have left.
Can’t wait for next season when we start a promotion push.
Brompton…mate..
.Afobe was tortured by KJs management and as a leading striker in the championship was asked to play often with his back to the goal..
He said once ‘don’t believe what you hear ‘a reference to Moxey and the manouvering behind the scenes..’I might learn something at Bournmouth’ was an indictment on KJs style ..
He was probably the best striker we’ve had since Bully ..who was better?
To say Sako was a luxury ..so what..he was I agree – almost too good for us..
..but what a game changer ..
We have to face up to players who can do the business for us in this league..
We can now pay the wages too..You and I disagree on some things the defence has been proven but we need a pin point striker
To support Dicko and Bod…
When Paul Lambert e-mailed me on Friday he said he was on his list so perhaps I’ve got the inside info..?
email? I spoke to him in person mate. He even bought me a “Shipyard” lol.
Looking forward to meeting up again mate, whenever that will be, so we can chew the cud.
Be good, take care and don’t work too hard. Hope the pub is going well.
The more I think about this appointment the more I think this is probably the best choice, again only time will tell. I love reading the Blog , but I hope that most on here won’t tell PL what he needs to do. He’s the Man !! He will sort this Squad out, no problem. We all ready have the players for a pretty decent team I’m thinking. We only need shape and a plan A. By the time we get to the January transfer window we will realise we only need a couple of players in and out and we will be looking good. Its belief and confidence we are short of. Welcome to Wolves Paul Lambert, get it right and they will want to build Statues, it takes quite awhile to organise a statue around here.
Come on you Wolves. FOWB we are coming to get you !!
Well said that man.
I think you will find someone is alreadry trying to tell him his job lol
Let’s hope he puts the pitch back to a proper width so teams dont find it so easy to stop us playing !
. I agree with that Franko chap above . I don’t think much is needed to achieve success . There are good players on our books , I don’t agree with the slating that Ivan cavelero got yesterday .. I think he’s starting to look good and played well yesterday . But I agree … a pair of center halfs and sorry , but we need new keeper .
Anyone at the rare away victory at Fulham last season will tell you that lonagan gave us two of the three goals we scored .
A brave move from mr Lambert, I hope we can keep cavelero , costa , Jon dadi , saiss, Dicko , I hope we can fit jack price in somewhere before we lose him , and he joins the ranks of ex wolves players on match of the day every week enjoying the premier league .
” we go again ! ”
Up the wolves
Well said that man. Cavaleiro is quality. Compared to say James Henry it’s chalk and cheese. However I think Ikeme is a very good keeper and, unlike most on here, I am not a Jack Price fan as for me he doesn’t cut it at all. Too small, too many sideways passes, never scores, an ok water carrier but that’s about it. I prefer Saiss in that holding position. Like so many others have said it’s about confidence and at the moment we have none. Centre of defence and another striker would, for me, be top priority.
I think you will find Bedford you cant change the size of the pitch mid season. WZ made it that size and now we are stuck with it.
Welcome to our wonderful club Paul Lambert. You will find that the first requirement is a basic one. The right attitude. Give your all and most Wolves fans will support you. We see through bullshit and tame excuses. So let’s get that right to start with and I am sure we can progress. I welcome Fosun’s admission of learning as well. There is a bright light still on the horizon for us. Maybe a glimmer at the moment but it is there. I think you can achieve great things with us Paul and you have the backing of very ambitious owners and passionate supporters. Good luck and welcome.
Mr. Lambert, welcome to the madhouse!
We are the fickle numpties of your dreams, or nightmares, depending on results.
Starved of success, most of us living on past glories and heroes, we will support you unconditionally………….. if you get the team winning again.
That is all we ask.
We are not so bothered about pretty, pretty, tappy, tappy footie, just three points every game.
Simple, innit?
No advice or player comments from this side of the pond, sir, but I do have some for Jeff.
Get rid of Mendes.
All he is interested in is filling his own coffers.
If anything, he is worse than moxey, who at least pretended to have the club’s interests at heart.
Mendes obviously dont give a shit, just wants to offload as many b rated players as possible, and get fat fees.
A typical example of someone never good enough to play the game, who now wants to become famous by other, desperate means.
Parasite.
Good luck Mr. Lambert, you have plenty of time to turn this juggernaut round, and for what its worth, the full support of Texas Wolves!!
FOwb
Clive, a great message but I think we ought to be more cautious about Jorge Mendes. Don’t get me wrong! I don’t like agents and Mendes is the mother of all agents oiling their palms from transfers—currently six years on the trot as world agent of the year. But, for Mendes, the Wolves deals so far are chicken shit, and the only signing for whom Mendes is his agent is Costa. Costa looks a very good signing, so you could say Mendes has done his best for Wolves. It’s jumping to conclusions to say that the other signings, with other agents, are Mendes’s doing. Let’s face it, we don’t know what was going on when we got all those Portuguese. Mendes is a powerful man. If he has the will, he can do us a lot of good.
Every managerial appointment is a bit of a gamble and even the best managers don’t always get it right but I am pretty pleased with this one. Of all the options he was my preferred choice.
I remember watching his Norwich side and being really impressed. People are currently hyping Howe and Dyche but five years ago Lambert and Brendan Rogers were the two next best things in management. Even at Villa I thought he did okay in the circumstances . They got relegated the season after he left.
What I like is that he wants to be a success and after Villa he needs to be a success here. If he fails here then he might struggle to get a job in the Premier League again. So right now he needs us as much as we need him.
Hopefully Fosun will give him time and the tools to do the job. Hopefully lessons have been learnt on player recruitment from the summer. Hopefully Lambert will be a “manager ” and not a “head coach”. Hopefully he will tell the players that games start in minute 1 and not in minute 46!
Welcome to Wolves Paul and best of luck.
Dour Scot. Very good player in his day. Advanced training methods. Student of the game. His own man.
To me, this describes Paul Lambert. It also describes another Scot at a similar point in his career, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Blackburn’s loss is our gain. Welcome Mr Lambert.
Forgot.
Thomas, such a well researched article, on such short notice.
Methinks you had insider info and have been working on this all week!!
I am very happy with this appointment.
Reading Jeff’s glowing comments you have to ask why they did not approach him in the summer???
We need a pragmatic approach now. Set the team up not to lose and then build from there.
I still believe top six is possible and I am certain we will finish top half.
Good luck Paul.
Welcome to Wolves.
Mate I’m sorry but we sit 19th how can you visualise a top 6 finish?
Loved the article Thomas & it’s whetted my appetite to see if he’s able to repeat his Norwich success here & some. But hopefully not a double promotion to the Prem.
I’m hopeful, he does appear to be the best Manager Wolves have appointed since Bill McGarry, who also had the East Anglian link.
Perhaps that’s unfair to Mick, Jackett & Graham Turner & a few others. But it does seem that in very recent times, at least, our Managerial appointments have been bizarre to say the least.
His accents tough to decipher so the post match & pre match comments will be ‘bullshit’ free. But I’d say I’m pleased with Fosun & it’s great they’ve kept on Rob Edwards for continuity, I have it’s a happy team & the good times soon start rolling.
Good appointment, has the experience & knows the level needed.
Onwards & upwards!
Another good article Thomas, well done.
You have to ask the question why, when he was available in the summer Lambert was not approached by Fosun to take the job then?
Still water under the bridge now, still time to turn this season into something good. We can all see what is needed without constantly repeating ourselves.
Welcome MR Lambert, good luck, you will probably need it. But given your apparent reputation god help any player who fails to carryout plans and tactics, just what our current shower of prats needs.
Onwards & Upwards
FoWB
Good point about Lambert in the summer.
Great article Thomas – thanks fopr the effort you put in for us.
I think he will prove to be a good appointment in time.
Tipton, Steppenwolf.
I think Clive answered that one in his post. Mendes may have been the fly in the ointment there.
Another great article, thankyou Thomas. Feeling optimistic about Paul Lambert. Regarding the game
Ince had complete freedom and it could have been a cricket score, CBJ just not interested in defending. Edwards and Coady were totally overrun in midfield and it was one way traffic until Tex was hooked and Saville introduced. Costa was good but twice he ignored the simple ball to Dadi and Dicko which would have been tap ins. A few wins would be nice so relegation thoughts could be put out of my head!! Oh yeah and the ref was a c#$* as usual.
We do seem to get more than our share of poor referees, I mean that I don’t need slow mo’s and play backs I will stick my neck out and say that at least 75% of the WRONG decisions are well able to be seen at normal speed. I thought the laws of football were laid down and no open to referees interpretation. Talking point.
Anyone who thinks Cavaleiro hasn’t got it, watch back the cross for Edwards’ goal. Stuck to his task well to beat the full-back and whipped in a beauty of a cross. Don’t remember too many of them from Henry.
We just didn’t get the ball too him enough yesterday. He looks the sort that needs his ego stroked but that’s fine by me if he can show that sort of quality.
I am really pleased with the appointment of Paul Lambert. Here we have, at last, someone who is his own man. He has been promised funds from Fosun in January IF we are in a position to challenge for the top six. But that’s a massive task after watching yesterday’s first half performance. He has a big job on his hands but I am more than confident that, in time, he will prove to be an excellent appointment.
Some are asking why Fosun didn’t approach Lambert in the summer. Well that is probably due to the fact that they were being advised by Mendes and both they and he thought that the Championship must be rubbish so if you throw a lot of money around then success and promotion will be guaranteed. They now know very different!!!! Let’s hope that we are now on the right track but it’s going to be a long hard haul.
I can’t finish without commenting on the disgusting booing of Baath during yesterday’s game. The bloke was doing his best and it’s not his fault he’s not good enough. I’m all for booing those players who are clearly shirking or not trying (please note those of you wanting the return of that pratt Afobe) but to boo someone for simply having a poor game because they are lacking the necessary ability is just not on. It’s the fault of those who pick him and a hopeless acquisition policy which brought us to the situation where we haven’t got a single decent centre half at the club.
Yeah I was disgusted at the so called supporters booing the players. When you are on your arse you need people to get behind you and try to lift the team, booing players has the reverse effect.
You don’t think him being overlooked has anything to do with them agreeing to hire the current manager of Spain?
Won’t presume to advise Lambert where we need to strengthen – he already knows I’m sure. I’m also sure that having had his fingers burnt at Blackburn he is convinced that Fosun will back him. So Jeff please don’t disappoint him or us. You’ll never be forgiven if you do.
Welcome Paul Lambert and good luck.
Thomas thanks for the article.
Well said Cotswold.
Great article, Thomas. You really get across the type of guy he is and the wealth of experience he has. And what a contrast with Zenga!! Someone prepared to learn rather than blow his own cracked trumpet.
Three points I’d like to know more about.
1. His time at Villa. The lack of progress there was often blamed on the ownership problems but weren’t the fans pretty fed up with his brand of football?
2. Do you think he will have insisted that he does not have players foisted on him by Mendes? I really do hope this issue has been resolved by Fosun. As already mentioned above, it is encouraging that Jeff and Sky Sun do seem ready to learn and take advice.
3. Is there anywhere locally we can enroll on a Glasgow dialect adult ed course? Or maybe get out the Rab C. Nesbitt vids. Or perhaps interviews could be conducted in German. I’m not worried really. I’m sure he’ll know the best way to get his point across to the likes of Texeira. After all, football is a largely non-verbal game, isn’t it?
Not too late to recover something from the season and I feel far more hopeful now than when I sat in the Billy Wright Stand back in August just behind Zenga in his gold rings and sharp suit.
Wolves for ever! Always new dawns! Every day!
Thanks for the information Thomas,
I have to admit to having not known too much about Paul Lambert, but I decided to read a bit more of all the many write up’s on his appointment. I was a Pearson fan, purely because it was stated he is a hard task master, but having read several reports about the quiet, Lambert who keeps his own counsel, I was pleasantly surprised that people are reporting he is very firm and will not tolerate the nambie pambie Prima Donna’s if they are not performing.
I was so angry at yesterdays performance but at the same time I am still 100% certain we have a winning team here at Molineux, we brought in lots of loan players this year and if nothing else Fosun handled that part of their new venture into the World of football well. We can get rid of those that are not performing in January and PL can shore up our leaking Dyke with players he is obviously scouting now. His appointment was delayed because he was in in Germany watching Celtic and BV Dortmund, so I hope he’s found a few potential match winners for the future.
Our season starts at Preston, we still have oodles of time and points on the table to mount a serious push, if it doesn’t happen this year so be it, I am happy to wait until next year.
The best this thing I read in all the reports on PL is, that he concentrates on tactics and style of play, I have long been a Jurgen Klopp fan and PL studied under Klopp, so what is there not to get excited about.
On a personal note.
Sea Pigeon, I will always admit when I am wrong and certainly crow when I’m proven right. Yesterday I was in the camp of the disgusting frustrated fans booing Batth, having read your post I have to agree you are right. I am booing him when it is as you state not his fault. He is not good enough at this level and it’s the people that have put him in that situation and not him that are to blame. So Danny I apologise, indeed no one can fault your effort, it is your lack of skill that is letting you down.
Lesson learnt.
Welcome Paul Lambert, make us a great footballing side, we have seen examples of it in the past but all too infrequent I’m sad to say. Win or lose, I only pay to see good football being played on the pitch.
Get these Wolves fans behind you and you will achieve God like status, they will even forget that you are Scottish (briefly)
Paul Lamberts Barmy Army.
My first thoughts when the Zenga was binned was what is Lambert up to at the minute. Then as the names started being banded about there was some real scary ones being mentioned. Ince, Pearson, Freedman, Robinson. Barton, Evans et al. So obviously this morning I am sitting happy. I don’t know of any other manager who in their own time travel around various top European clubs in an effort to educate and develop themselves in becoming a better all round manager. That in itself speaks volumes and also to get the invite from BD in the first place must also indicate a healthy respect for the man. We do have the nucleus of a decent team (I also cannot fathom the slating Cavaleiro receives, outstanding prospect who given the right players around him will be dynamite in the creativity department) but the defence is the big issue for me. Time after time this season DB has made huge mistakes and for me has been the weakest link by far this season. He doesn’t read the game, has terrible positional awareness and takes his eye off the ball too many times. Not far behind is Iorfa, can never understand those that wax lyrical about him. He has the touch, movement and co-ordination of a baby giraffe on its first day on legs. CBJ although showing some good touches and I think one day will be a very good player is too naive at the moment and this again is costing us dearly. Lonergan I do not rate and although he made some really good saves yesterday he is too unpredictable and caused the initial problems in the first place. No good being hot and cold like that, I feel nervous when he is on the pitch and if the defenders feel the same way it can only lead to uncertainty along the line. Anyway welcome Mr Lambert and for me although many are still hoping for a top 6 finish in my heart I don’t think that is realistic and would be hoping for a top 10 with you and the players using the remainder of the season to gel and set up for a strong team next season. As many of us said at the beginning of the season at least this one will be interesting – welcome aboard the rollercoaster buckle up and enjoy the ride
What language is he speaking? I can catch about half of the words.
I said we should never have sacked Big Walt.
He should have been kept on a an interpreter.
Hopefully though, a few months in the Black Country will have Lambert talking proper.
Doog have you seen that advert on Sky TV for some up and coming programe it’s about ambulances and in the last clip a lass says “IIIvvee iiii fived yo. I say she lives in Lye, any other takers?
Talking proper …… just like you do buddy.
Ya mean ‘spakein’ proper doe ya?
Welcome Mr Lambert to this amazing club.
Lets get ourselves organised first and the rest fall into place. I’m really pleased with his appointment, this is just the type of manager we need and this is just the right platform for him to achieve his long term goals. Wolves with money is massive, there should be no question about that. We are going places and this I believe is one of the many building blocks that needed to be put into place. I’m not going to wish him luck I believe you make that of your own accord.
One thing about Wolves blog it’s the commitment to say your piece..
Just look at the depth of comments here!..it just shows the magnitude of our current situation ..
The blog is a virtual consultancy..
COYW
Congratulations to Andy Murray.
Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da.
Andy Murray Scotland’s (& World) No 1
Enjoy the moment Stu, could be back to earth next week !
Lambert is no dummy. Being out of work he decided to refresh his CV by associating with some of the top profile men at the moment. This is a very shrewd move but not one every Tom, Dick or Harry could do. He clearly has respect at the highest level in the game so I think we shouldn’t take too much notice of some of the villa fans comments who should clearly have been more careful what they wished for.
I will admit I was a little disappointed that the club had not gone in for another continental coach because I wanted the fosun era to be different and sexier than we had before. But, to be fair, they have listened to the fans and gone for one of the best of British with a history of promotion from the football leagues. This is an attempt at ‘substance over style’ and hopefully prove a sensible move.
Football is still basically show business. We have booed all the baddies we can find, some have left the stage. Now its time to start a new play with a fresh lead actor. Lets all cheer loudly when the curtains open again in a few weeks time. I’ve got my respectfully priced tickets for Sheffield Wednesday and I can’t wait.
I look forward to his first Press Conference. He seems serious and grounded. His development as a coach started from low and seems ambitious by attending trainings and seminars of established coaches not only in UK so I guess he has already seen our weak points. As for the preferable formation, you usually adjust to the game and the rival, bearing in mind of course the quality and capacity of each and every player of the squad you coach. I wish him the best!
I have just been reading some of the pathetic comments regarding our new manager on the E&S website. Don’t you just love keyboard warriors ? And no, I am not one as I actually go to games. I wish Mr Lambert all the best, as I did Sammy Chung, John Barnwell, Graham Turner / Taylor, Soldbacon, Saunders – okay, not the last two ! He is now the manager of our club Wolverhampton Wanderers. We should all get behind him 100% and embrace “another” new era. His first home game against Sheffield Wednesday is only £12.50 a ticket so let’s pack Molineux and show him just what a massive club this is. Me and Susan will be there and I can’t wait.
Great appointment, maybe this time we have got it right for once.
It will be interesting to see how much he gets backed in January. With a first team squad that is not too short of 30 when all are fully fit, there might be little room for manoeuvre.
I suspect Man U may recall CBJ which wouldn’t be a massive loss. Kenny might come calling for a couple of his side lined former players e.g. Wallace, Saville, Evans maybe even Price.
Some of our other loanees can’t be returned until the end of the season Teixeira springs to mind.
One thing that l do hope is that one of Lamberts stipulations for taking the job is that Mendes keeps his nose out of any transfer business. He is simply using our club to find a home for his out of favour players.
I am sure our new boss would not work under Mendes calling the shots on transfers.
Putting on my anorak and have been looking at the table. I reckon 60 points from 30 games for the play offs. This means win 20 of those or for every 3 games played from now on win 2 of them. Very tall order. Probably settle for stability this season and a steady improvement in team cohesion. The weekend had just been ruined by Smethwick Towns win at Leicester. Oh well never mind. Be good to see what PL has to say tomorrow.
Welcome Paul,
Thanks for your time yesterday, it was good to see you again. You know what is needed, and you know the priorities.
I am sure you wil enjoy sorting this out, even though it is going to push you.
What I don’t understand is some players who seem to think the managers at their club in Portugal will not see their performances in the Championship and will not see how they have not put that much of an effort into the game.
Or is the style of play in Portugal that much different? Don’t the mid-fielders and forwards defend at all there?
Anyway, if they are seen to be slacking, they will not get a chance once back home.
Is Lambert the right man for the job?
Can he pick a winning team from the current mixed bag of players available?
Can he identify which players to keep and which to let go from the current squad?
Can he improve individual players and the overall team performance?
Can he select new players to buy that will improve the squad?
Can he integrate these new players quickly into the squad?
Can he get the team to produce 90 minutes of entertaining football?
Can he resist the urge to resign if things go badly?
Can he resist the urge to resign if things go well?
Can he do all this by the 7th May
If the answer is yes to the above combined with excellent tactical nous, superb man management skills and infallible decision making then just maybe
But he will also need to be lucky
With words like , steady , time etc he is already lucky as Walter certainly wasn’t given much time to succeed so you never know !
His past would suggest that if he does well and a bigger job is offered him then he will be out the door like a bat out of hell , but for the here and now I think he needs us as maybe we need him so let’s back him and see what happens
I can’t help feeling a bit bored though with hoping we finish mid table , just another year
Bat out of hell? I think Lambert has learnt from his experience at Norwich; jumping to a “bigger job” (Villa) is not all it seems to be. My guess is that he thinks Wolves can be the that “bigger job” and, you know what, we can be. That is what Fuson intended.
Another great article Thomas, well researched and full of interesting titbits. Let’s hope he can deliver our expectations. It will be interesting to see what he makes of our hastily assembled motley crew. I don’t think it will take him long to separate the wheat from the chaff and with the Jan window not that far away he will have time to take stock and prepare a shopping list. The best think us fans can do is support him 100% while he weaves his spell.
Welcome Paul Lambert.
I am led to believe you are a big fan of the German style of football, well so am I, so I look forward to even better football than we saw a few glimpses of with Walter.
If you are reading this blog, please condider a German who is being treated so badly that he will probably walk in January, Bastian Schweinsteiger, also one of Englands greatest ever Captains, who has played his last game for LA Galaxy last night but could still have a swan song left in him as the Wonderful enigmatic Emlyn Huges did, one Stevie Gerrad. If your feeling really flush which I believe you will be, take a punt on that rock solid slick defender from Man City, Vincent Kompany.
What a treat that would be to witness at the Molineux, it’s where Fosun want to be, It’s where Wolves fans want to be and it should be where you aspire to be with all this financial backing you have at your disposal.
Good luck mate, I think I shall apply for the job as official translator on behalf of our blog, all these Suvverners are struggling with your sweet dulcet Glaswegen twang. Strange really as YamYam is quite a unique language in it’s own rights, it’s taken me 56 years to master it.
So, get to it Paul, make our Millennium, make our Wolves proud.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Steven Gerrad
Vincent Kompany
Not a bad January window mate considering the money you Never had in the past managerial roles.
Oh yes,
P.s.
Don’t listen to that Mendes chap from Portugal, (Arthur Daley spings to mind)
COYW’s
Hey we can dream but that’s all it is unfortunately Stu – a lovely warming dream
You forgot Sako.
Thought I would get in before Stevie does lol
How’s your brother matey? On the mend I hope.
No change mate. He is still not conscious. I do not know how long it is going to be before he wakens, and when he does what brain damage (if any (and hopefully none))
has occurred.
We are all praying that all turns out well. Thanks for asking.
Thought this might cheer up anyone feeling down. I flopping hate BOG!
Nice one mate. I knew you had a good sense of humour. PMSL.
I might even get one now that I know they do them with lumps in the front.
In my defence I had just returned home after a sumptuous 5 hour lunch – I didn’t wear that shirt by the way, I got changed when I got in – involving Champagne, gin and tonic, red wine and brandy with prawn cocktail, beef wellington and baked Alaska : so much like when Jennifer Aniston was rumoured to be pregnant when it truth she’s just enjoyed a large lunch.
Great day BW – thanks for inviting Amalia and me. We had a smashing day out. (You were honoured – Amalia had 2 alcoholic drinks!!)
Mind you a family consisting of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Wolves fans all jumbled together makes for some interesting conversations.
Not sure where we are viewing the England v Scotland fixture. Any ideas?
Big Pete won’t go to the Pheasant after past scrapes.
BOG
Good on you mate. Hope to catch up at a game sometime soon.
Can’t even change the flopping thing as he had it printed!
See what I mean! Flopping BOG!
I suppose whenever there is a change of direction at the club, new hope is engendered.
I too have new hopes for the future.
I hope that Jeff and his Fosun friends have finally seen that advice from Mr Mendes ain’t worth a bean. In reality, he knows little more than Fosun themselves about what is required in the Championship.
I hope, and fully expect, that Mr Lambert has made it clear that he decides who comes in, and he decides who to ship out. I’m sure he wouldn’t have taken the job on any other basis.
I hope Mr Lambert sees the need to bring in some experienced defenders to support Dominic, Kortney and CBJ. They have been taking some flak on here but they’re just kids and the pressure of playing in a losing team is obviously weighing heavy on their performances. I’m sure they all have big futures in the game. Cut ’em some slack guys.
I hope we see Messers Graham and Zyro back and firing on as many cylinders as they had before their terrible injuries. Nouha seems fit and well and hopefully our other two wounded soldiers will emerge in similarly fine fettle.
Hope. What more do we have?
I agree mate.
I really rated Iorfa, especially when he had a couple of amazing seasons as right back, where he was allowed to run the right flank and was whizzing past players and putting some great balls in the box. He is, as you said, just a kid who is still earning his trade. Let him get his confidence back as I don’t think he turned into a bad player overnight.
….and this years best halloween costume goes to Bedford Wolf !
Great article, there is denying that he has the potential and the ability to lead us successfully, but obviously being a Wolves fan I will reserve judgement until the end of the and see where we are then.
Good luck Paul Lambert your going to need it!!!!!!!!
Next year it will be 140 years since the formation of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. During that period the club has appointed 31 managers (28 of a permanent nature plus two stints from Bill McGarry) including the latest to try and turn this festering club around – Paul Lambert. I wish you every-luck in the world Paul because by jingo you are going to need it.
Interestingly in the first 100 years the club had just 12 managers. In the last 39 years 19 have tried their luck.
Paul Lambert has become the fourth manager from north of the Cheviots following on from Andy Beattie, Tommy Docherty and Mark McGhee. Talking of Scotland…………
*FLAG ALERT*
England host Scotland on Friday evening in a World Cup qualifier. Behind the goal (not sure if it is to the left or right of the principal television camera) please have a squint at the St Georges Bedford Wolves flag as portrayed by Bedford Wolf at the head of his musings.
Talking of England v Scotland………
Although five “unofficial” matches were played in the early 1870’s between England and Scotland, the very first “official” international football match was played at Hamilton Park, Partick near Glasgow on 30th November 1872 in front of 4,000 spectators. The match ended 0-0 despite England playing a full back, half back and eight forwards! (Hamilton Park still exists with cricket played there during the summer). England’s eleven were chosen from nine different “clubs” – most of which were university based. Only Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace supplied players from what could be classed as recognised football clubs these days. Queens Park (whose home stadium was and still is Hampden Park) provided all eleven of the Scottish team.
So the die was cast and the rivalry commenced on an annual basis alternating between venues in England and Scotland. Despite the fact that the population of England is about 10 times greater than Scotland over 112 games the win ratios are remarkably close with 47 victories for England, 41 for Scotland and 24 draws. Indeed Scotland did lead England in the number of victories until the early 1980’s. Since 1981 however only two put of 13 fixtures have gone to the Jocks.
Probably the two most famous victories for Scotland were actually at Wembley. In 1928 the “Wembley Wizards” were immortalised in Scottish folklore when they beat England 5-1. The Scottish forward line of wee Hughie Gallacher, Alex James and Alan Morton tore England to shreds. Likewise in April 1967 Scotland beat the world champions 3-2 with goals from Bobby Lennox, Denis Law and our soon to be in a gold shirt Jimmy McCalliog (although he was then playing for Sheffield Wednesday). England fans suffered the ignominy of left half Jim Baxter playing “keepy uppy” and inviting the England players to get then ball off him. I turned the television off!
(Mind you some 8 years previously England had thrashed Scotland 9-3 at Wembley which today still has the Jocks staring into their single malts in disbelief).
In 1954 England scored 7 with our very own Denis Wilshaw scoring 4 goals. In the next England fixture he was dropped and I believe this is the only occasion in international football anywhere that a player has scored 4 goals and then been dropped.
As an aside over 149,000 sardined into Hampden Park in 1937 to witness an England v Scotland international the highest attendance for an international fixture in Europe. In addition over 146,000 at the same venue for Celtic v Aberdeen Cup Final in 1937 is a European record for a club match and 118,000 at Ibrox for Rangers v Celtic is a British attendance record for a league game.
Anyway that set me thinking – what has happened to those Scottish footballers? The nation has punched well above its weight in discoveries and innovations, from McAdam (road surfacing) to Logie-Baird (television), James Watt (steam engine) to Graham-Bell (telephone) and Alexander Fleming (penicillin) to John Reith (founder of the BBC). I owe my working life to a Scotsman – William Fairburn who came up with the process of cold forming steel tube from steel strip. (A trawl on the reveals literally 100’s of inventions examples like these attributed to Scottish ingenuity). Indeed it was William McGregor from Perthshire who came up with the idea of a football league in 1888 and it was Glaswegian Archibald Leitch who was commissioned to design all or part of over 30 stadiums across the UK and Ireland including Anfield, Ibrox, Goodison Park, Highbury, Twickenham and our very own Molineux.
So how about the footballers – where to start and finish – last season I watched Rangers v Celtic in the Scottish cup on Sky. From memory only three players were Scottish born from BOTH squads. This is a far cry from the Celtic European cup winning side of 1967 when all but one of the eleven were born within a 30 mile radius of the Glasgow East End.
Let us just think in no particular order – Denis Law, Daglish, Baxter, Souness, Jimmy Johnstone – what a winger, Eric Caldow – captain in 1962 when Scotland mullered England at Hampden, Spurs goalkeeper Bill Brown, the immortal John White (the “ghost” and brains behind the Tottenham double winners in 1961, who scored a fabulous goal at Molineux in February 1962 and who was killed by lighting in 1964 on a London golf course), Bremner (twat), John Robertson (fatty nondescript at Forest before Clough turned him into an unplayable winger), Dave Mackay – like to meet him on a dark night – not, Sandy Jardine, Alan Hansen, Archie Gemmell, Bertie Auld, Bobby Murdoch, Alan Morton, Hughie Gallacher, Alec Jackson and of course not forgetting Frank Munro, Kenny Miller, Hughie Curran, Chris Iwelumo, Kevin Macdonald, Chris Berra etc etc.
What has happened to these- and loads more – home grown players from the River Tweed northwards? Once upon a time I could more or less name the Scotland team to play England but now I struggle to name two or three players. But fear not 13,000 pissed tartan clad fans will descend on Wembley on Friday (all day long) with their Tam o Shanters and sporrans and bellowing bag pipes and you can be sure of one thing – Strachan will have the team fired up to beat the “auld enemy”.
Despite this I take England to win a close contest 2 -1.
Anyway sorry to bore you all guys but frankly I just get angry and bored writing about how utter crap and embarrassing Wolves were on Saturday so I thought of something a bit different.
Have a great week and don’t forget THE FLAG!
BOG
England on Friday : I’m going for a Clive-one scoreline. Shame Frank Haffey isn’t in goal for Jockland otherwise it would be more like 10-1. Venue for Bedford/England barmy army? Dunno. The Bluebell maybe? Or The Pheasant but just tell Pete?
Fantastic post mate. Must meet up before/after a match sometime soon.
Hello BW – thanks for reply.
Quite agree we should meet up before a match for a good natter and moan about all things old gold and black!!
We will be at the Mol for the Sheffield Wednesday fixture. I believe a number of other bloggers go to the Park View, West Park hotel beforehand. Perhaps we could all meet up there if you are at the game. We generally arrive in Wolverhampton about 12.30/12.45.
All the best
BOG
I go to the Park View. It all started when it was decided to meet up with theDoogooder
for the last game of the season some 3 seasons ago. We now have an end of season gathering there on the last day of each season. Our sort of “Party in the Park”. Would be good if you could clear your diary for the 7th May and join us. It is usually Clive from Houston’s annual foray to the Mol too.
As for the Sheffield game, I am afraid I am not able to get down for that, but am planning to be at the following:
10 Dec : v Fulham
2 Jan : Sheff Wed v
28 Jan : v Huddersfield
4 Feb : Burton v
11 Feb : v Newcastle
11 Mar : v Rotherham
17 Apr : Leeds v
and
7 May : v Preston (arriving on the 6th for a Pre match drinkies)
The Fulham game on 10th December looks good to me.
I will pencil it in and we will see you at the Park View for a beer.
Thank for the info regarding the end of season gathering. Last season I think I was at a wedding so I could not make it but I should be there this time for a few bevvies along with Bedford Wolf and hopefully one or two others from Bedford area.
In the meantime lets hope our new manager gets us out of the current predicament.
Make that 13003 Scottish fans. I am in the England end with Jen de Wolf and our Granddaughter, I will probably be filtering my halftime Bovril and may well be aimimg a stream of Scotlands finest warm iron brew over said flag from above.
It’s time for a Scottish win and what better place to do it than at Wembley on Friday,
I went to England against Turkey and Malta and to be honest chaps, I wasn’t greatly impressed, a bit like a Kenny Jackett team I thought.
I’m going for a well deserved 3-1 to Scotland.
Hang on to yer Goalposts.
In a different league as a manager Lambert..confident and committed with reservations ..
His biggest task is to get to January.. if we can gain enough wins then everything is possible…
I just hope he has a couple of players up his sleeve and of course identify the biggest need stop the rot at the back buy that no5 and deal with the Danny Batth problem..
It’s as plain as his accent …
This isn’t sour grapes (well not a whole bunch anyway) but don’t forget the Scottish win at Wembley in 1967 was against nine and a half fit men.
Jack Charlton broke a toe in a tackle in the fifteenth minute and, because no subs were allowed, hobbled around on one leg for the rest of the game (and still managed to score) while Bremner, in his own inimitable fashion, made sure that Ray Wilson had a keepsake of his studs for most of the match.
Could be a close thing on Saturday though.
Here we go, that old chestnut by David Haye, Broken toe my foot! Get your excuses ready boys.
Engerlaaaand, Engerlaand, Engerland.
Got to be ANOTHER win for us AGAIN. After all we are far far better than those Tartan Skirt wearing pansies.
England: 3
Scotland: Feck All
I feel optimistic that this is Paul Lambert’s moment. But then we were all searching for similar inner reassurance when Walt took over – albeit the confidence is much nearer the surface on this one. He has pedigree, determination and has obviously actively sought to learn from past and new experiences. There’s enough evidence to suggest that his departures from Villa and Blackburn were inevitable, even wise and that he couldn’t be held responsible for their plight. If M&M had still been here, I would have bet that he would be off after a frustrating year or so. With Fosun’s backing and hopefully the balls to tell Mendes when his help isn’t needed, he may never get a better chance for future glory. A Celtic supporting mate reckons he needs to relax a bit and not be too inflexible in his judgement of players. Well I think he may need to be quite judgemental with some of ours! If only we could understand he word he says!
We’ll be fine. We’ve got Stu to translate.
Oh brilliant!
A mixture of Jockish and Wolverhamptonish.
Who the hell is gonna understand that?
Even when he thinks, he cant decipher his thoughts.
Ya al cum beck nawwww.
Texass YamYam….
Just watched his interview.
Seems like an intelligent, eloquent, chap to me.
Good luck to you Paul Lambert, your accent reminds me of Alex Ferguson.
Just watched interview – quiet sensible approach – no rush to judgment. Plus looking for maybe only a couple of changes in January so, thankfully no more wholesale changes. Slow and steady does it.
I too just watched the press conference, and here are my observations.
He looks like Bully.
He speaks a lot of sense.
I loved his comment: ” we need to get a lot more out of them than they are showing” with regard to the present crop of players.
Thelwell comes across as a right plonker, but beware, I feel he could be dangerous.
Someone with bugger all playing experience, with lots of “achievements” and bits of paper extolling his so called abilities as a coach etc.
To me he is as dangerous as moxey was, insidious and Grimma Wormtonguelike in his sycophancy.
He has created a positon where none is needed.
Beware Wolves, he is not one of us!!
Good luck to Mr. Lambert, I think you will do well.
And of course it goes without saying
FOwb
If what has been said about player selection becomes true than I will be happy. That is key.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/11/08/kevin-thelwell-paul-lambert-to-have-final-say-on-wolves-signings/
Clive be careful you negative thoughts could be hobbit forming.
Lambo will do well. Got a feeling. We need him. He needs us. Let’s repair his career and in return get us going places. Just repaired the Zenga bus and it is pulling out of the station again……
I hate the International breaks, two weeks to our next game, just can’t wait to see who PL will select in his first match COYW.
Impressed looks more mature and more switched on than in his Villa days. There is some sparkle there underneath his cool approach. I think now he was the right choice. Gut feeling is he could be here for sometime and is well capable of taking us up. Just hope Fosun follow through with the backing. PL is taking us to the PL.
Welcome Paul Lambert, This is a tough gig, so your first few weeks are critical to show us what you have got, get it right and 20,000 + will be behind you, but if you get it wrong you will hear and feel vitriol like you have never heard before. Just saying like it is.
Best of luck old pal,I hope you don’t need it.
This is a great club ,with great supporters,starved of success, I hope you can bring back pride to this crest fallen club and get bus back into the promised land.
I truly hope you tenure at this great club lasts for a long time with the success we all dream of.I really hope you read this blog.UTW.
Having just seen the press conference I’m quite reassured that we have the right man. Welcome to Molineux Mr Lambert.
I’m happy that the international break is here in that it gives him time to reassess the situation. That first half against Derby will give him much to ponder on. I’m not going to elaborate here as it has all been said before, here and elsewhere.
Looking forward to seeing how he sets the team up against Preston.
Onwards and upwards!
This article from Thelwell about who has the say in signings is inspiring me a little more than with Zenga, the fact that they are coming out and saying it publicly tells me there may have been a major rethink by Fosun.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/11/08/kevin-thelwell-paul-lambert-to-have-final-say-on-wolves-signings/
Scottish no5 in Jan?…I bet he’s thought about it…
He’s making all the right noises, when Zenga gave interviews it seemed like pie in the sky, hope and pray stuff, KJ was grey pale and downright got no money boring, but PL is pulling no punches. He’s already on his first day in office had a go at Randy Learner, he’s probably sick of taking the blame for Villa’s demise.
Now today he’s posted that, “the foreign players have got to adapt to the English game quicker, if not they will find themselves back home, thinking I should have done better” Teixeira must be thinking, “is he talking about me”?
I’m warming to him big time.
We shall see. We just have to wait. His priorities and his views will become known to us at PNE on the 19th.
Is it just me or does anybody think pl looks 10 years younger than when he was in the dugout at villa !
Great post bog , I think though had we still been playing home internationals the gap between us and them would be massive as they have been completely shite for the best part of thirty years imo
Englands biggest advantage being Gordon ( is a moron) Strachen decided to stay on !
Hopefully a good hard game and result to match the last game ooop north
Good job you English have got good me,ories, because youv’e done feck all for 50 years.
1066 battle of Hastings.
1666 Great fire of London,
1966 World cup with a home advantage.
Could be 2266 will be a good year for you boys.
See that, even the Memories are starting to fade already. 🙂
And what have Scotland done, apart from fail to qualify for World Cups!!!!
Ha ha , nice one stu I didn’t think it would take you long, have a good night Friday in the nations capital
But not too good
Yo, JockStu, you conveniently forgot to mention that us English have more than one World Cup victory.
How about 1918 and 1945?
And, how many have Jockland got?
Less than one.
In fact, there are wild celebrations North of the border when you get into the qualifiers!!
Reminds me of the bloke who went to Hampden Park to watch Scotland play, and there was a chap with a dog, sitting next to him.
The dog was all decked out in Scottish scarves, rosettes etc.
When the team came out before the match the dog went wild, barking, jumping up and down in excitement.
Bloke was impressed.
Five minutes into the game, Scots got a corner.
Dog goes ballistic, woofing, jumping, doing cartwheels.
Bloke was super impressed.
Says to the owner ” thats really impressive, your dog is really a fanatical Scotland supporter. Tell me, if he’s like this when you get a corner, whats he like when you score?”
Owner says ” Dunno, only had him five years”
What do you call a Scotsman at a football tournament ?
Linesmen
Girl goes into a pub and asks for a Double Entendre.
So the barman gives her one.
I used to use many cliches now i avoid them like the plague.
….. Doing the lambert Walk…………………
Well done to the boys for tonight, maybe a few inclusions to the Preston squad? A big well done to Gillingham.
With you there, Honey!!
Wherever you are, its fowb
Looks like yer man’s gonna win then Clive.
I hope you realise that if, after 87 days, he turns out to be rubbish you can’t get rid and poach Paul Lambert from us.
Well done Clive, that’s better than any 5-1.
One up for the little guy there Doog, people fed up with Corruption in Politics. I genuinely wish him well. I wonder if we can get him to take over FIFA.
Donald is part Scotsman. I suspect he will be wearing a kilt in the white house. Certainly has the ginger hair (ish).
Cheesy.
The President of America is the President of my home town Aberdeen’s Golf Course.
It could only happen in America I thought!
But then I thought about Corbyn.
Well thats a turnip for the books!!
The Donald to go into government housing!
With all the real estate he owns, he gets a rent free mansion, with servants!
I twitted him last night and he has promised to build a wall around sandwell.
I also persuaded him not to get pissed off with China, at least until we have won the Champions League a few times!
I wanted him to win, but really didnt expect him to.
Think the country will be in shock for a few days, but wonderful that the lying, cheating, machine that is the Clintons wont be in power.
That would have be bad for the whole world.
Now we can focus on really important stuff like beating the Jocks and Paul Lambert’s first team selection!!
FO wb and hc
Donald Trump Preident……OMG…….could only happen in America.
Clive, is he Labour or Conseritlive don’t understand this Republician or does he just run a pub and decided to run for President……he looks like Mo from The Simpsons needs to sort that Bobby Charlton fringe comb over though.
Paul, he is not a Democrat, or Labor, he is not too conservative, he is Donald Trump, shit stirrer extraordinaire, self made, and above all……………………….
American
Power to him, and bollocks to the establishment, parasitical career politicians.
Did you see Clinton trying not to cry?
And that was Bill!
Ha Ha.
Clive……..God Bless America……………..I know what you are going to say………” You were’nt they man’ you were’nt there ” and you’d be right I’ve been to Cheltham but not Vietnam..!
And you right….” I cannot handle the truth ”
So famous film quotes answer on a postcard to Paul Featherstone.
My predickted text is bollucks.
we are all looking at the defence and critising there mistakes I have said from the start of the season we needed to buy a striker I have watched more than once this season we have dominated
play but lack that finishing touch.
lets hope paul finds us whats needed in the January window
Reading the Express & Star article on players who could leave in the January transfer window, I saw Jack Price’s photograph in the montage of ‘didn’t quite make its’.
I hope Paul Lambert has a good hard think before he considers getting rid of one of our best mid fielders.
He’s not been given a fair suck of the sauce bottle this season.
Don’t let him go the way of McDonald.
Definitely one of the most under rated players at this club.
Disagree, along with MacDonald one of the most overrated players at least Jack does’nt have an attitude like MacDonald.
I hope PL gives Bright Enobkhare a chance to solve our striker problem.
He can’t stop scoring, has plenty of confidence and am sure, with Costa and Cavaleiro supplying him crosses, would knock more than a few in.
Instead of dropping Saiss we should consider him as a centre half too.
Anyway, I’m optimistic that after yet another ‘International’ break, we might go on a winning run.
As for ‘internationals’, what is it to be a ‘nation’ in today’s world?
“Nelly the elephant packed her Trump and said goodbye to the circus, off she went with a trumpty, trumpty, Trump, Trump, Trump!”
Stats show we win more and concede less when Price plays?
There are three types of lies____Lies, damn lies and statistics!
That’s not a statistic, that’s a fact, a true fact and nothing but a fact.
I think.
Fact is Jacket rarely played him, Zenga even less, why? Fact is he is too lightweight. Fact is he doesn’t score goals. Fact is I’m fact off now!
Those facts, used statistically, prove my point.
What is the win/loss ratio in those games that KJ and WZ didn’t pick him?
Not very impressive.
And Hilary Clinton won the election.
Hope PL can sort this lot out in to a cohesive unit. That said it needs to be recognised that some of these players are now under a 4th different manager since returning to pre season at the end of June . Here’s to some stability and continuity. I wish PL well. He looked genuinely thrilled to be here at the press conference.
R.I.P. Leonard Cohen.
One of THE GREAT songwriters.
And a lovely man too.
So glad that I saw him perform at Glastonbury a few years ago.
Great shout Doog https://youtu.be/EeuN742hNDw
Hillary could still get in, Doogle.
Look up “faithless electors” and see how it could happen.
FOwb
I feel for America just now.
See the jocks are 9/1 to beat us lot worth a punt
My ten year old nephew is starting to be interested in football.
He started learning the names of the teams playing in England’s world cup qualifying group from the television broadcasts.
Lithuania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Malta
Scotland nil
Just moving away from football for a moment as we reflect.
Lest we forget.
Hope Stearman gets a chance today with Danny serving a ban ,with a big crowd to get behind the team we should pull of the win 3-1 to the wolves COYW