"The Sack Race X2"

I do feel some sympathy for Lambert. The board are clearly not going to invest to improve the squad and it certainly need a couple of experienced PL standard players to come in. Unless the board invest I don't see anyone being able to turn things round. They may get saved from relegation, but will still be a bottom 5 club.

 

Yeah, their squad is bottom 6/7 level.

 

Benteke is a good player, there's no doubting that but spending £7 million on him when other areas of the field needed addressing wasn't the wisest in hindsight.

 

Without Benteke they would be in a even bigger mess. He's been their best player. Plus he was bought on the last day or 2 as bit of a panic signing anyway.

Their other spending has been questionable tbh, more than him. They spent like 21 and half million total in the summer. Out of which about 8 was Benteke and the rest haven't added much.

 

Weimann and Bannan are good home developed players that they have too, who have been a bonus but still the signings in most areas are too inexperienced or not good enough.

 

He wouldn't have needed to spend money on Benteke if issues with Darren Bent, a better goalscorer, would have been resolved early on.

 

To be fair, he's been their best signing.

They just need to get a few experience heads in with such a young team.

 

Bent was such a overpriced signing for a club like them. And he has been even worse this season with his head not being right.

Should just sell him for a decent amount and strengthen other areas.

Nzogbia being injured has been a blow for them too.

 

I agree, Bent was highly over-priced and he has been poor this season (when he's been given a chance) but he, like Benteke, is a good striker. I don't know what's gone on behind the scenes with him but it's hurt the club. Ireland not performing to his best ability, N'Zogbia not contributing at all when played, Albrighton not progressing at the rate expected. A torrid season.

Lambert is paying for O'Neill and Lerners mismanagement of finances and McLeish general shitness. He's getting nowhere with that back four, though.

 

I'd be surprised if they get rid of Bent if they stay in the EPL. I think Benteke will move on for more money than they paid in the summer, so if he goes they'll need Bent. However, as things stand I don't see them staying in the EPL, I think they'd be better to offload him and strengthen the team allround like Cevno said.

 

Nzogbia has been shit for them. He has the potential, as shown at Wigan, but hasn't performed

Got shunts such as Warnock, Hutton and Dunne on high wages which makes it impossible to shift

Also, who gives a 37 year old, in Given, a 4 year contract?

 

Meh, he has the ability but does he have the fight for a relegation dog fight?

Can't be carrying players at this stage

Another who's on extreme wages as well

 

So, Adkins wins the race...

Who do you think will be next?

 

Benitez and Lambert would be my favorites, followed by Pardew.

 

I am starting to feel that if the fans were going to force out Benitez then they'd have probably done it by now.

Would put Lambert as favourite, I think if Bradford knock them out he'll be gone.