Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Sexual Ealing]

That's part of what I mean. Bruce was convinced his way was right, because it was the way that worked before. Anyone who thought otherwise was 'hysterical' and so on. I can't imagine Bruce ever really believing anything he did was wrong, I doubt if he watched our last few games there'd be a single question he'd ask himself about why the way we play is so far ahead of what he could serve up on a regular basis.

Comparing the way Smith talks about the game and then Bruce with his "put your boots on" or "it's off wi' me heed' nonsense it really is like they are talking about a different sport.

I say this with no malice, but I'd imagine that our performances since Smith arrived will make it more difficult for Steve Bruce to get back aboard the gravy train. He was thoroughly found out while he was with us. He's bollock-naked in the middle of the Bullring since Smith took over.

Apologies to anybody eating their dinner for the last image.

[pauliewalnuts]

Imagine Lewis Grabban in this team with DS coaching him....he'd score a hatful!

Not sure we'd be able to fit both Grabban and Tammy in the same team.  Grabban was very good for us, but I do prefer Tammy.

Imagine Sam Johnstone in it.

If only the takeover had come that little bit earlier.

[Hillbilly]

It reminds me of BFR at his best in 92/93 and 76/77 under King Ron. Scoring for fun and playing some super stuff. Love it, absolutely love it

If this keeps up we may have to bestow on Dean Smith the highest honorary title there is; “Ron”.

[Sexual Ealing]

It reminds me of BFR at his best in 92/93 and 76/77 under King Ron. Scoring for fun and playing some super stuff. Love it, absolutely love it

If this keeps up we may have to bestow on Dean Smith the highest honorary title there is; “Ron”.

Hahaha

[Colhint]

Is there anywhere I can get the stats, I mean passing in particular. I'd like to see it. I bet we have passed more in the last few games than we did in Bruce's games by a mile.

[Pat Mustard]

Just watching the 2017-18 season review on Sky and the difference between the team now and then has really hit home. Under Bruce you just knew that if things went wrong he wouldn’t know how to turn it around, not just in individual games but across a whole period of time.
I know Dean Smith has only been here for a short time, but I just don’t see us going through periods of 6-10 games where we barely get a win.

Ultimately what cost us last year was the rubbish start and terrible December. Given the resources at his disposal there was no way we should have taken that long to get into our stride, and then when things started to go wrong we should have been able to freshen up and still deal with most teams.

I’m sure we’ll still have hiccups, but I’m also sure most of us will accept that when the bloke in charge seems like he is able to do something about it. Automatic promotion is still a long way off, but I’m so much more confident that we’ll give it a bloody good go this time around. I also wouldn’t want to be the team that has to face us in the playoffs if that’s the way it goes.

[robleflaneur]

It reminds me of BFR at his best in 92/93 and 76/77 under King Ron. Scoring for fun and playing some super stuff. Love it, absolutely love it

If this keeps up we may have to bestow on Dean Smith the highest honorary title there is; “Ron”.

Ron Smith.The moniker has an aura about it,probably mid 60s.Following in the footsteps of  such giants as Sir Ron Little and Ronnie McGrath.
Could we not have an end of season awards,'The Ronnies' ?

[BC Villain]

Bruce still had the mindset that the only way to be successful in this league was to bore the opposition into submission and hope for a moment of individual brilliance from someone.  As Deano said after the match yesterday, you can't sit back in the Championship now as your asking for trouble.

We have great possession now, but it's possession used wisely to try and hurt the opposition - not just for the sake of it by managers trying to be clever

[andyh]

I know that the the argument is moot and I know that we have to take what we have and go with it.
BUT, if only the owners had been a little braver and appointed Deano in the international break before they did, like many of us were begging.
That extra few weeks and games could have made the world of difference to where we finally end up.

All that aside, I honestly think we can win the league.
I think if he brings in a quality CH in January, maybe a new new keeper, we can take this division apart.
Im not getting carried away with a few great results, I’m getting carried away with seeing that this team now fears no one...the fear should be with everyone else.

[Risso]

Is there anywhere I can get the stats, I mean passing in particular. I'd like to see it. I bet we have passed more in the last few games than we did in Bruce's games by a mile.

whoscored.com is good for that.

[Ad@m]

We can still win this tinpot league. I reckon 19 wins out of 26 games will do it and Deano will piss that!

[Toronto Villa]

We are showing that we have no fear against any side. What side above us right now, in our current form would be confident of beating us? We’ve gone and literally battered 2 of them in the top 4 at their place (Derby were top 4 at the time). Conversely this squad now has so much belief. They know they have the ability and players to change games. No lead is safe. We can turn it up almost at will at times.

So while I don’t think we will win every game what I am confident of is that we will enter every game from now on, wherever it is being played, with the belief we will win. And with some reinforcements in January it only makes us stronger and deeper. Something that not all of our rivals will be able to do and or rely on as injuries and suspensions kick in late in the season.

[OCD]

It was only around this time last year that Fulham started getting it together and there’s no equivalent to Wolves this year. I think the rest of the league are starting to take notice of us. We’re one of the form teams despite a tricky run of fixtures. Wait until we get the reverse fixtures of the ‘easy’ ones that Bruce mostly screwed up and we get to fix problem areas in January. Bit by bit we’re pulling ourselves back into the fight for the automatic positions.

[olaftab]

 I want Deano to qualify us for inaugural  UEL2 in 20/21 which means finishing about 8th in the PL in 19/20 season.

[stuart445]

Now we have a real manager, it beggars belief why so many defended Bruce for so long.

He's gone. Why not look forward instead of griping?

i'm sure you would like us to forget about Bruce
your the one who backed him to the hilt for the last two years with a 10 minute window after the play off final before reverting to type and backing him yet again

we are now seeing the damage he has done by him while you were saying he was worth sticking with month after month day after day defending him to the death

its obvious now that the man was useless and we've wasted two years with him,
we will move on time will fade the memory of just how bad he was,
but for some it will take a bit more time than you his biggest fan

Bruce should have gone after the playoff final but we couldn't afford to sack him.

When we could afford to sack him keeping him was correct because had NSWE sacked him the moment they came in I'm convinced they wouldn't have appointed Smith they would have appointed Henry. By keeping Bruce proves to me that we finally have decent owners because they waited to work things out and get decent advice which has resulted it Smith being our manager