Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Toronto Villa]

When we tore Derby and Boro a new arse and we had a midfield three of Grealish, Hourihane and McGinn. Where was the physicality exactly?

[hilts_coolerking]

The football was outstanding. Let’s not rewrite history. But what has happened since is massively disappointing. Not just that it wasn’t maintained because much of that is down to injuries. But that Smith hasn’t been able to adjust with what he’s got and is now stuck in a rut. The team is back to playing Bruce ball. It’s hideous.

I'm not trying to rewrite history: for a few games our football was excellent.  Since then we've basically done not much more than stand still.  Under Smith we've improved our points per game by 0.2.  I'm just questioning whether 'a gigantic leap forward' is perhaps a bit hyperbolic. 

[Toronto Villa]

The football was outstanding. Let’s not rewrite history. But what has happened since is massively disappointing. Not just that it wasn’t maintained because much of that is down to injuries. But that Smith hasn’t been able to adjust with what he’s got and is now stuck in a rut. The team is back to playing Bruce ball. It’s hideous.

I'm not trying to rewrite history: for a few games our football was excellent.  Since then we've basically done not much more than stand still.  Under Smith we've improved our points per game by 0.2.  I'm just questioning whether 'a gigantic leap forward' is perhaps a bit hyperbolic. 

Going from what Bruce served up at the end of his time to those games I cited was a gigantic leap forward. Look at the pre match thread for Derby and the genuine concern most had playing against what was an in form Derby side at their place to what transpired. Nobody could believe that this squad could do that. That’s what I meant. And to a slightly lesser extent for Boro but still there was immense pleasure and surprise how easily we dismantled what was the best defence in the league on their own patch.

[hilts_coolerking]

Fair enough.  I wouldn't phrase it that way myself, but I see where you're coming from.

[john e]

I can't understand why john e has not been given the Villa job.

Overlooked again

[Rigadon]

We look like an above average championship side without Grealish.  That's because we are an above average Championship side pitot Grealish. I don't know what that says about Dean Smith (or Steve Bruce). 

If we get him back in time we have a chance of going up via the playoffs. 

[Rigadon]

...

[paul_e]

I firmly believe the problem is a lack of energy, we're trying to play the way Smith wants but the midfield (including the wingers) just haven't got the legs for it other than McGinn. When we had Grealish in there as well we were closer because he was occupying defenders and creating space but without him we're too easily contained. Whelan and Hourihane aren't terrible players and might do some good things but they slow the game down too much and are a big part of the problem.

[ChicagoLion]

I firmly believe the problem is a lack of energy, we're trying to play the way Smith wants but the midfield (including the wingers) just haven't got the legs for it other than McGinn. When we had Grealish in there as well we were closer because he was occupying defenders and creating space but without him we're too easily contained. Whelan and Hourihane aren't terrible players and might do some good things but they slow the game down too much and are a big part of the problem.

You can get away with one of them (maybe) but the pair together is just plain daft..

[ROBBO]

This is what I can't get my head around, Hourihane was the dominant player at his last club and ran the game for them, what happens to good players when they come to Villa? different managers different structure but they all seem to turn to shit.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

This is what I can't get my head around, Hourihane was the dominant player at his last club and ran the game for them, what happens to good players when they come to Villa? different managers different structure but they all seem to turn to shit.

Did he though? I've genuinely no idea, I never saw him play a full game before he joined us. I only saw him on the highlights, scoring free-kicks and from outside the box - so exactly what he's done for us. You could  just as easily edit a showreel of his goals here and he'd look dynamic. It's only when you watch a whole game or three that you see how little impact he has for ninety percent of the time.

[sickbeggar]

My biggest reservation with Smith (and he wasn't my choice) was i didn't think he'd get the time, and after the knicker wetting on the match thread tonight i'm still not convinced he'll get the leeway a "name" manager would. Bruce managed P9 W0 D2 L7 in his first season and he got barely a murmour of criticism so i reckon Smith deserves at least the same leeway

At the moment i see Villa as basically the final years of the Austin Princess. Its glory days are over and basically a lot of it is obsolete compared to the competition. The new designer has attempted a temporary face-lift so it stays competitive but its just seeing out the year till they launch the Austin Ambassador at the August Motor Show.

*runs off*

[adrenachrome]

My biggest reservation with Smith (and he wasn't my choice) was i didn't think he'd get the time, and after the knicker wetting on the match thread tonight i'm still not convinced he'll get the leeway a "name" manager would. Bruce managed P9 W0 D2 L7 in his first season and he got barely a murmour of criticism so i reckon Smith deserves at least the same leeway

At the moment i see Villa as basically the final years of the Austin Princess. Its glory days are over and basically a lot of it is obsolete compared to the competition. The new designer has attempted a temporary face-lift so it stays competitive but its just seeing out the year till they launch the Austin Ambassador at the August Motor Show.

*runs off*

I agree with you in principle, but your use of the term "knicker wetting" is likely to draw opprobrium from those with a different view on proceedings.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bruce managed P9 W0 D2 L7 in his first season and he got barely a murmour of criticism

The 'Bruce Out' thread was started straight after the 8th of those games. He was getting plenty of stick at the time.

[adrenachrome]

This is what I can't get my head around, Hourihane was the dominant player at his last club and ran the game for them, what happens to good players when they come to Villa? different managers different structure but they all seem to turn to shit.

Did he though? I've genuinely no idea, I never saw him play a full game before he joined us. I only saw him on the highlights, scoring free-kicks and from outside the box - so exactly what he's done for us. You could  just as easily edit a showreel of his goals here and he'd look dynamic. It's only when you watch a whole game or three that you see how little impact he has for ninety percent of the time.

Hard to imagine now, but he really was.

Conor Hourihane at heart of Barnsley’s rise from bottom of table to Wembley