Another thing to consider is whether DS has reached his ceiling yet as a manager. I personally don’t think he has. He’s growing in his position as much as some of the players are. He’s improved year on year and as others have pointed out, he’s achieved the goals we could expect since he’s been at the club. With increased options available and no Joe, perhaps we will see him improve further. Also worth noting that DS will soon be one of the longest serving Villa managers in last 20 years if he finishes the next season. I’d like to see how continuity works for us as it’s not something we’re entirely use to.
Quote from: LeonW on August 11, 2021, 09:20:34 PMAnother thing to consider is whether DS has reached his ceiling yet as a manager. I personally don’t think he has. He’s growing in his position as much as some of the players are. He’s improved year on year and as others have pointed out, he’s achieved the goals we could expect since he’s been at the club. With increased options available and no Joe, perhaps we will see him improve further. Also worth noting that DS will soon be one of the longest serving Villa managers in last 20 years if he finishes the next season. I’d like to see how continuity works for us as it’s not something we’re entirely use to.Why is "he" called Joe? Have I missed something? Cheers!
There was an image posted on Twitter and presumably elsewhere with the caption, "We'll never forget you Joe".
I forget, how long did it take Man City to make the top four? we are in a similiar situation. The problem with finishing mid table again is it makes us vulnerable, if any of our players have a standout season the Euro qualified will be tapping up again. As far as paying over the top that's what you have to do to get top players when you can't offer European football, we have been restrained by fair play rules but now the shackles are off, go for it I say.
Quote from: ROBBO on August 11, 2021, 09:58:15 PMI forget, how long did it take Man City to make the top four? we are in a similiar situation. The problem with finishing mid table again is it makes us vulnerable, if any of our players have a standout season the Euro qualified will be tapping up again. As far as paying over the top that's what you have to do to get top players when you can't offer European football, we have been restrained by fair play rules but now the shackles are off, go for it I say.Signing a former captain of ours certainly helped them!
Quote from: ROBBO on August 11, 2021, 09:58:15 PMI forget, how long did it take Man City to make the top four? we are in a similiar situation. The problem with finishing mid table again is it makes us vulnerable, if any of our players have a standout season the Euro qualified will be tapping up again. As far as paying over the top that's what you have to do to get top players when you can't offer European football, we have been restrained by fair play rules but now the shackles are off, go for it I say.Takeover was 1st September 2008, qualified May 2011.
Quote from: Damo70 on August 11, 2021, 04:59:07 PMInstant promotion, total squad rebuild, cup final appearance, Premier League survival and then mid-table safety last season. I would say that even Dean Smith's harshest critics would find it difficult to criticize all of those achievements in such a short space of time in such tough Leagues like the Championship and Premier League.More importantly, there's not a fan alive who wouldn't have snapped your hand off for that the day he was appointed. The problem is, as fans, we rarely take a step back and look at things in the aggregate like the above - we sit there watching games, we see bad performances, we suffer when we lose - so I completely understand why some fans have had periods when they've doubted Dean's credentials - a couple of weeks of bad results and performances can feel like a lifetime.
Instant promotion, total squad rebuild, cup final appearance, Premier League survival and then mid-table safety last season. I would say that even Dean Smith's harshest critics would find it difficult to criticize all of those achievements in such a short space of time in such tough Leagues like the Championship and Premier League.
Quote from: SoccerHQ on August 11, 2021, 10:26:32 PMQuote from: ROBBO on August 11, 2021, 09:58:15 PMI forget, how long did it take Man City to make the top four? we are in a similiar situation. The problem with finishing mid table again is it makes us vulnerable, if any of our players have a standout season the Euro qualified will be tapping up again. As far as paying over the top that's what you have to do to get top players when you can't offer European football, we have been restrained by fair play rules but now the shackles are off, go for it I say.Takeover was 1st September 2008, qualified May 2011.Not only did it take until their third season of oil money to finish in the top four (they finished 3rd), but people also forget that the team the Abu Dhabi group bought had just finished 9th in the premier league. They didn't buy a mid-table Championship side like NSWE.Three years to go from 9th to 3rd.Edit, I just checked, in those three years they spent £350m net on players to get from 9th to 3rd. And that's TWELVE years ago, so Christ knows how much that is in today's money...