“Most of these players are better than they were 12 months ago”Who?Martinez - always good, not quite as good as early season.Cash - huge improvement on Elmo - looked good from the very start, doesn’t look better than early season. Mings- Good but a mistake in in him most games. Wouldn’t say he’s any better than before Konsa- always good- still goodTargett - improved - no doubt.Luiz- worse than before McGinn- - played out of position, not as effective as before.AEG/Trez/Traore- all performing at similar standards.Barkley- worse than when he joined.Watkins- huge Defoe like potential. Wouldn’t say he’s performing better than early season though..All in all, what I’m trying to say is the improvement in league positions is more a result of the massive investment from the owners than due to coaching methods and improving players. Is that really such a controversial opinion?
Compared to us leeds have spent pocket money. And they are aove us in their first season back for years.
So predictable - close down an alternative thought because it doesn't conform to yours - which is based on some sort of Mystic Meg fortune telling. How can you possible know what path we are on?
Quote from: villadelph on May 09, 2021, 06:14:29 PMQuote from: Exeter 77 on May 09, 2021, 06:12:46 PMIt wouldnt surprise me to see Dean fined after some points he made in this interview.https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1391438816922144773?s=19I love it. "I'm fed up talking about penalty decisions, or dubious penalty decisions, against Manchester United."I'd like to think the club lodged a formal complaint that a Manc was allowed to officiate a Manchester club match - But that doesn't change fact that our record against this club is embarrassing ..... and that us blaming biased officials would be seen as "small time" by fans of other clubsLike many on here I detest this particular fixture but if we are looking to be considered a " big club" we need to start matching up to this lot
Quote from: Exeter 77 on May 09, 2021, 06:12:46 PMIt wouldnt surprise me to see Dean fined after some points he made in this interview.https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1391438816922144773?s=19I love it. "I'm fed up talking about penalty decisions, or dubious penalty decisions, against Manchester United."
It wouldnt surprise me to see Dean fined after some points he made in this interview.https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1391438816922144773?s=19
I think the comparisons with Leeds and Bielsa are ridiculous so I’m going to turn them on their head. Bielsa has vast experience as a coach, managing some top club and international teams over many years. Despite this, with a similar squad, Leeds are only two points ahead of Dean Smith’s Villa, at the beginning of his managerial career previously coaching Walsall and Brentford and we have a game in hand. To go a step further, just two points ahead of Leeds we have a self proclaimed “big six” club Arsenal with a Guardiola apprentice, arguably the best coach ever, at the helm, a meagre four points ahead of same Dean Smith. I think I know why I’m happy with our manager.
It’s a must do better for me. He’s had MON type resources transfer funds wise and we all know how that ended up. Got to choose ready made PL upgrades this summer to complement the young ones like Konsa, Luiz, Watkins etc.
Quote from: Allan C on May 10, 2021, 09:59:00 AMI think the comparisons with Leeds and Bielsa are ridiculous so I’m going to turn them on their head. Bielsa has vast experience as a coach, managing some top club and international teams over many years. Despite this, with a similar squad, Leeds are only two points ahead of Dean Smith’s Villa, at the beginning of his managerial career previously coaching Walsall and Brentford and we have a game in hand. To go a step further, just two points ahead of Leeds we have a self proclaimed “big six” club Arsenal with a Guardiola apprentice, arguably the best coach ever, at the helm, a meagre four points ahead of same Dean Smith. I think I know why I’m happy with our manager.Could also flip it to compare that Leeds in the first season in the division look set for a top half finish. We stayed up by a point. Leeds have also done it with far less of a budget and a distinct style of play. Our style of play appears based on the availability and fitness of one player, when he isn't available we don't have one. I do agree that comparing Smith to Bielsa is a bit unfair. Smith is just about on track with pre season expectations, the loss of his best player for 11? games also should be taken into account.