Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish not the answer - Villa boss Lambert



Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will resist calls from fans to give Jack Grealish more repsonsibility in his side despite a fifth straight league defeat last night.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was left out of the squad that was beaten 2-0 by QPR at Loftus Road, thanks to two Charlie Austin goals.

Birmingham-born Grealish, who is eligible to play senior international football for both Ireland and England, signed a contract extension with his boyhood club earlier this month but has played just 101 minutes of 900 this season.

Charlie Austin double eases pressure on Harry Redknapp as QPR move off bottom

“He’s ony 19 years of age, and there has been a lot of things thrust on him,” said Lambert when asked afterwards about Grealish’s lack of involvement. “I’ve tried doing my best to manage him in the right way, that gives him a really good career.

“He’s a talent, there’s no two ways about it, a big talent. But he’s got an awful long way to go, he’s got to keep his feet on the ground, no matter how well he does throughout his career.”

Lambert added that it was too much to ask a 19-year-old to come in and turn things around.

“I rely on everybody, not just one lad, that’s a big ask. He’s not started a Premiership game.”

In any case, and despite no league goals since Gabriel Agbonlahor’s winner at Anfield on September 13th, the defence is where Villa need help, according to Lambert, who has watched his side concede 13 goals in the last five games.

Last night, Austin scored in either half to secure a valuable three points for Rangers, who moved off the foot of the table and left Villa winless and goalless in their last 450 minutes of football.

The 2-0 reverse to QPR comes after defeats to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton.

“I thought the two goals we lost were really poor,” Lambert said. “I think that is the most we have had of the ball, possession-wise, but that is why I’m never one for stats. The main stat is putting the ball in the net and keeping it out. “I thought we defended poorly for the two goals. We have got to be more clinical in the last third of the pitch but the two goals are disappointing because we had most of the ball.”

Christian Benteke played 90 minutes, but is still working his way back to full fitness following a serious ankle injury, and Lambert has full faith in his Belgian forward and his team-mates to end their near nine-hour run without a goal.

“I tend not to get them down on that,” he added. “They will come out of the traps on Sunday (against Tottenham) and I know we are going to be alright in that department because when Benteke gets up to speed and, with (Gabriel) Agbonlahor, (Andreas) Weimann, (Charles) N’Zogbia and (Darren) Bent, there are guys there with goals in them and it will happen.
“My main concern tonight was we had that much of the ball that we had to score with it, but you have to defend when you are on top.”

Villa_Dan wrote:I know 19yr old lads who have to graft 9 hours a day to keep a roof over their family's heads, that's pressure. Jack's got ability and the world at his feet but he's being held back by Lambert. He is not managing his career, he's restricting it.

kimbo wrote:Funny thing is, the only game he started was against Orient, and they quickly worked out they needed to double up on Grealish - treble up on occasion - because he was literally the ONLY Villa player that looked like doing a single fucking thing.

Trotters wrote:Yep.

And targeting him for a kicking won't last when players see that he's very quick with his feet and his mind and that yellow cards are the more likely outcome.

And then oppositions start to give him a little respect. And that's when he'll shine.

But let's not argue with the manager. He knows best. Clearly. His dynamic methods, his tactical nous, his piercing insight and.....oh.

Trotters wrote:I do not even know where to start with that.

It's too much to ask for a 19 year old to turn things around? Maybe put him on BEFORE things need turning around. You know, be pro-active instead of reactive.

Lambert says he's not started a premiership match yet. Well why the fuck not? Maybe, perhaps, that's the very problem! Why not have a go at other teams, give them something to think on? Why not let a Jack get half their team on yellow cards and bring Gabby on for the last 20 when the opposition defence is out of energy and can't tackle?

You just keep on doing the same things the same way, Lambert....clearly it's a winning formula.

Trotters wrote:I'm not even being funny when I ask what he does for his extraordinary dough that couldn't have been done better by pretty much any Villa fan?

He's made every bad choice. He's not changed the formation to suit. He's not made substitutions at the right time and when he has eventually made them, he's bollocksed it all up. He's been out-thought, his team has been over-ran, out-scored and provide precisely zero entertainment value.

Had he put Grealish on and even gone so far as bringing Gardner back for a go, at least the fans would appreciate seeing some kids we know have talent, we know will give their all for the shirt and will appreciate that the manager is trying to entertain.

So, F for effort, F for attainment but an A-grade salary.

Football makes me wanna vomit up some vital organs.

villabromsgrove wrote:It's beginning to look like Jack was conned into signing his new contract!

FoxyAV wrote:I thought I might resurrect this Grealish thread.

I can't get an idea out of my head but it sounds ridiculous. Keane is the assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland and the assistant at Villa. Grealish (or possibly his father) is procrastinating over choosing to play internationally for ROI or England. MON and Keane want him very much, surely him not playing at the Villa has nothing to do with him not yet deciding to play for the ROI? At this rate he won't have an international career if he can't even get any club time (although Hutton might disprove that theory)!