Dean Smith - Confirmed

[SoccerHQ]

Where has he pulled this 3 at the back, fullbacks as your only width and 2 centre mids shite from? His arse? Really. really poor decisions from Smith. The set piece defending is back to being a monstrosity again aswell. So much for the set piece coach.

He did it against Manure which worked because they struggle to break teams down. That’s fine - it’s keeping that formation since that’s utterly baffling and completely wrong. It fundamentally doesn’t work for our squad. You’d hope the manager would fucking know that.

Was amazed in pre match thread we kept things unchanged.

3 in central midfield and Ollie and Buendia out wide would've had far more logic to it even if it wouldn't have guaranteed a result.

[Mellin]

Pretty sure we've just turned Arsenal over pretty convincingly three times on the bounce by going after them. Let them play and they have a chance to build their brittle confidence and remember they have a bit of ability.

Plan should've been go after them, score the first goal, watch the crowd turn and win 3-0. Smith should know this. He used to, which worries me most.

[Big Ming]

The 'Master Tactician' strikes again.

That boy don't ever learn.

[Nev]

Where has the football gone? We resemble an alehouse side with no idea how to play, reliant on long throws and set pieces.
Smith appears to have abandoned all his principles and pursuing this policy will only end one way.
He has to go back to the things that have served him so well up to now or he's fucked.

[Nunkin1965]

Playing players out of position.
Squeezing in talented players into unsuited systems.
Picking players on last seasons performances.
This is only going one way unless he gets back to putting  us on the front foot.
Why change such a successful plan that's worked so well against Arsenal in the past?

[ROBBO]

His game day tactits over the past three weeks has been a disaster, you can reasonably expect the odd game where a manager gets it wrong but with Dean three weeks in a row is a big worry.

[Nunkin1965]

And I'm getting sick of f*****g long throw ins like its some miracle of the modern game.

[AV82EC]

It’s shit, like some sub Pulis performance art.

[nick harper]

And I'm getting sick of f*****g long throw ins like its some miracle of the modern game.

I agree. It’s symbolic of a bygone age. We’ll look back on this time and reflect on it being a reflection of the downward spiral Smith had us on.

[N'ZMAV]

that hoof down the line by Mings gets on my tits.

[Vegas]

I’m still just in the camp of give him more time, but it’s definitely worrying.

In the last 100 minutes of football we’re 6-1 down to mid table sides with a full-ish strength squad.

[N'ZMAV]

I’m still just in the camp of give him more time, but it’s definitely worrying.

In the last 100 minutes of football we’re 6-1 down to mid table sides with a full-ish strength squad.

same.

[Beard82]

I’m still just in the camp of give him more time, but it’s definitely worrying.

In the last 100 minutes of football we’re 6-1 down to mid table sides with a full-ish strength squad.

same.

Yes this is where I am

[Nunkin1965]

Don't get me wrong I'm a Dean Smith fan but where has the bright attacking spells in our play gone?
We gave up the win from minute 1 yesterday with the system as predicted by absolutely everyone on here before the game that wasn't going to work.
.
Right or wrong he has his principles on how he likes his teams to play but for some reason he's ditched it in favour of a couple of towels for Matty Cash to dry the football with.

[AlwaysVilla]

I think the ill discipline that we are seeing is a worrying trait.  Players seem to be losing their heads with Mings and Watkins particularly cutting frustrated figures at the way we are playing. We are top of the league for yellow cards and I got the feeling watching those players 1st half running around, chipping at the opposition,  hacking the ball anywhere, was the players telling Smith...we aren't happy with this formation