Dean Smith - Confirmed

[PeterWithe]

Thought Davis did very well

[curiousorange]

This summer is not only important to improve what we have, but also to organise a plan B. We haven't had an alternative to Grealish for two and a half seasons. I'm pretty annoyed how much we've fallen off, even allowing for being ahead of the curve. I'm happy enough with Smith, but I'm not raving about him, and from next season I don't expect to see anemic runs like this.

[JuanMartinez]

Thought Davis did very well

And its this train of thought that  keeps me up at night.

[LukeJames]

Exactly that, there was no diamond at all. It was the same 4-3-3 that it always is.

[Ketzster]

The other huge problem is that the tactical inflexibility means that once we go behind in games there normally isn’t any way back. The number of points gained from a losing position is also pretty dire.  So it’s not just the Grealish thing that’s a problem

[Rudy Can't Fail]

This is what I think. We’ve undoubtedly progressed this season but we’ve also missed an opportunity once we had progressed. He has the rest of the season and first 10 games of next season like most managers at this level.

I hate looking for a new manager midseason but the fact we're even discussing it tells you something is seriously wrong. Forget the 'without Jack' excuse, we were poor with him in the side before he got injured. Our results and league position have hidden the massive drop in performance levels. We were flying in the first half of the season and now we're sinking. Let's pray Dean can turn it around between now and the end of the season. My concern is he has form for going on these extended poor runs and not changing anything.

[rougegorge]

The other huge problem is that the tactical inflexibility means that once we go behind in games there normally isn’t any way back. The number of points gained from a losing position is also pretty dire.  So it’s not just the Grealish thing that’s a problem

You almost know the game is up if we concede first. In the last 2 seasons we beat Watford and drew at Chelsea, and that is it.

There is rarely a tactical change. Players may get subbed, but the formation stays the same and the opponents will know that as well.

[ChicagoLion]

As usual his reaction to going behind is like for like subs and throw Davis on at the end.

[Risso]

As usual his reaction to going behind is like for like subs and throw Davis on at the end.

Groundhog Dean. Swap one of the shit wingers for the shit winger on the bench. Sub the other shit winger for Barkley, then confirm the Villa nil bit by bringing on Davis.

[brontebilly]

Obviously is in the middle of a very sticky spell and this international break comes at a very good time. He urgently needs to reassess where things are going wrong and correct them.

[Risso]

Obviously is in the middle of a very sticky spell and this international break comes at a very good time. He urgently needs to reassess where things are going wrong and correct them.

Doesn't seem to matter if we have a long break, or three games in a week. The only real benefit to this international break is that hopefully this time Jack really will be back.

[OzVilla]

Obviously is in the middle of a very sticky spell and this international break comes at a very good time. He urgently needs to reassess where things are going wrong and correct them.

Doesn't seem to matter if we have a long break, or three games in a week. The only real benefit to this international break is that hopefully this time Jack really will be back.

The long break between March and July 2020 didnt seem to do us much harm. Smith needs to use this time in the same way as he did then and bang a few heads together.

[Toronto Villa]

If we are going to have Davis in the squad then use him from the start. I would put Watkins wide left and Davis in the middle. Or play the two of them together. Because this “tactic” of brining on Keinan Davis late on when we NEED a goal is utterly fucking stupid. Give him a chance to play himself into a game and help create chances. He’s never, ever going to be that player who changes a game with 15 min to go.

[Risso]

If we start playing Davis from the start we'll never win another game of football.

[JuanMartinez]

Davis has scored 4 goals in half a decade of professional football, have i missed something here?