Rebuilding A Tarnished Reputation - The Paul Lambert Story.

[Kewell 7]

Paul Lambert Story:


On February the 11th Paul Lambert was sacked as Aston Villa manager after his side scored only an abysmal 12 goals in 25 Premier League games. That is the Paul Lambert that everyone remembers at the moment but I have much fonder memories.

As a player Lambert represented 5 clubs but of those 5 the most memorable were Celtic and Borussia Dortmund. As a player Lambert won many accolades including 4 SPL titles, 4 Scottish cups, 2 League cups, Scottish football writers player of the year, 40 caps for scotland, 1 UEFA cup runners up medal 1 Champions League winners medal and is a member of the Scottish football hall of fame after being inducted in 2009.

As a manager Lambert guided Norwich to back to back promotions from League 1 to the Premier League and had a very successful first season in the Premier League with Norwich City. He then joined Aston Villa where things started to go downhill you'd have to think back a while to remember a time when Lambert wasn't under pressure.

In this story I will be going on holiday till the 11th of February starting unemployed and hoping to build this tarnished reputation.

The question is who would employ a manager after such a horrible spell ? will he have to go abroad? will he be back down the lower leagues of England? god knows where this story will start but I have a clear vision of how I want it to end. I would like for this Lambert story to finish with a league and Champions League double whether it be with the team I start out as or having had a big job offer come in.

I hope you enjoy this story and I am open to any suggestions you lot may have.
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[Kewell 7]

Lambert To Bolton!



Neil Lennon has lost his position as Bolton manager due to being 18th after 33 games only 4 points adrift from safety. The Bolton board held interviews with many high profile managers before finally announcing the appointment of Paul Lambert as Bolton Manager!

A press conference was called to introduce the new manager and Lambert answers a few questions about his plans for Bolton.

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Reporter: Paul congratulations on quickly getting back into football so quick after your spell with Aston Villa. Why did you feel it was right to get back into the game so quickly after such a torrid time?

PL: I feel like I left Villa with a lot of unfinished business in the game and felt I couldn't wait to get right back into the thick of things. I made a lot of poor decisions during my time there especially in the last few months of my reign and I just feel like I want to quickly rebuild my reputation and when the Bolton job became available I seen this as the perfect opportunity to reinvent myself.

Reporter: So what was it about Bolton that attracted you to the club and what are you going to do differently this time round ?


PL: Bolton are a big club with a fantastic stadium and following. I feel like after many years of establishing themselves at the top that this is a Premier League club in a lower division and it is my aim to get them back to where they belong! The main thing i'm going to do differently at this club is play much more positive football at home. The championship is a very difficult league so away from home I might be more cautious but in front of the home support we are going to give it a go against any side!

Reporter: Finally Paul we know you will be keen to get out to the training ground and introduce yourself to your new players but we would like to know what your ambitions for this club are?


PL: This season survival is a must! it's quite embarrassing that Bolton are where we are and we need to give the fans a reason to support this club! Next season after having assessed the squad I will look to add my own stamp to the side and hopefully we can challenge for at least a play off place I want to get the club back into the Premier League as soon as possible!​

 

[Kewell 7]

Bolton Preview:

View attachment 295767Lambert takes over a Bolton side sitting 18th in the championship just 4 points clear from relegation places and given the hard task of a safe mid table finish and stabilizing the clubs troubled finances.

Bolton Squad and Key Players:

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After a quick assessment of the squad I feel that although not to the level I'd want it will be enough to stay in the division and climb the table! I've chosen these 4 players as the spine of the team that will help us stay in the division this season and hopefully give us something to build upon! Also very happy with young prospect Zach Clough who i would like to have a big future at this club not just in the championship but beyond that!

The January window has already passed after having taken over so no chance of fresh faces until the summer, although I'd love to secure some signings on pre contract I don't see this being a possibility having been handed some poor financial constraints. The club are already paying 90k over the wage budget set out by the board and this must be seen to in the summer!

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First game as manager will be a home game vs Brighton who sit 22nd in the league so will be hoping to get off to a quick start and start collecting 3 points and climbing up the league.
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