Dean Smith - Confirmed

[andyh]

Pretty much spot on AV82EC

[themossman]

We’re all assuming Smith is a good long term option on the basis that he'll build a squad that can play his way. Is there any actual evidence that this is his remit? Or is a better measure of his suitability his ability to coach loan-to-buy signings who think they’re better than us?

[Deano's Mullet]

We've forgotten how to score away from home now too which is a worry. 3-4 games now without a goal.

[Ads]

We've got it wrong for 5 windows down here.

Bruce gambled the farm on a one season crack at it and failed badly. Now there's only players too old and slow to be whipped into any and it shows.

He needs to have the chance to rip the squad apart.

[brian green]

You are right of course Ads but the acid test will be who he replaces the rubbish with.

[SoccerHQ]

We’re all assuming Smith is a good long term option on the basis that he'll build a squad that can play his way. Is there any actual evidence that this is his remit? Or is a better measure of his suitability his ability to coach loan-to-buy signings who think they’re better than us?

Given how relaxed our January was e.g. not replacing Bolasie or Hogan who left and were players in key areas and the general talk of lowering the average age of the squad, I don't see DS being sacked anytime soon.

He's here for next season and will be properly judged much like Steve Bruce was.

[aldridgeboy]

What I’m struggling is, when he came in we seemed to be great for 4 or 5 games ? And it was Bruce’s squad then, as it mostly is now.
It just seemed at the time it was more than just “ new manager bounce”

It also seemed a very baffling transfer window, where we had real obvious weaknesses.

We just seen a bit lacking in anything at the moment. Shape, desire, quality, cutting edge, threat. If Tammy doesn’t score we look doomed.

Smith has to take some of the blame here? Yes he’s going to have a summer clear out ( hopefully), but he needs to start next season well for me

[hilts_coolerking]

I don't think we will have wingers next season. We will have 5 in midfield who will have better energy, pace and ball retention skills than any of these wankers we have now. What Smith is realizing very quickly is that most of these fuckers are worthless and the sooner they are of the books the better.

I agree with you 100% but how many years now have we been saying exactly the same thing?

[cdward]

My theory is the players have given up, knowing that the owners, manager and back room staff have already agreed that promotion this season is not required.

Any players that might be here next season, will start performing then, any that know they will be shipped out are just going through the motions.
Hard to motivate a team when there is no incentive to win games.

Expectations at Villa are now to stay in this league until next season, so the players and staff are meeting that expectation, and the owners are happy with it too. It's only us fans that aren't happy with it.

[Ads]

We did ponder on the walk back to the car whether there's an element of that.

Not so much given up, but knowing that they're off and whether it's having an affect.

Needs must.

[ChicagoLion]

There is no way the owners said, ok chaps just stay here for another year and don’t try.

[SoccerHQ]

My theory is the players have given up, knowing that the owners, manager and back room staff have already agreed that promotion this season is not required.

Any players that might be here next season, will start performing then, any that know they will be shipped out are just going through the motions.
Hard to motivate a team when there is no incentive to win games.

Expectations at Villa are now to stay in this league until next season, so the players and staff are meeting that expectation, and the owners are happy with it too. It's only us fans that aren't happy with it.

Given what was said about the average about a good 10 of them know they're gone aswell.

Jedinak, Whelan both out of contract, Bjarni gone, El Ghazi permanent not taken up, think Albert will be moved on, Hutton contract ended so would imagine with the new French RB he'll be finally let go. Likes of Taylor and AEM will probably be moved on for small fees as both still have a year left. Kodjia in and out so another in the exit category.

That's before you go to players leaving who you want to keep and obviously Jack and McGinn fit that category.

It will be our biggest squad overhaul since summer 2015. Let's hope it turns out a bit better than that.

[Ads]

Pretty much the list we came up with SHQ. It must have an impact. It would if there was talk around our own jobs.

It's the bitter pill that we must swallow and it's come 3 years too late.

But Smith doesn't do himself favours by not starting Green for example. He had missed so much football. Let him play every game until the end of the season and give him the experience he should have got 2 years ago.

[Steve67]

Only Kalinic, Guilbert, Grealish and McGinn make the starting line up. The rest of the squad needs to be purchased or loaned in. Massive task ahead.

[themossman]

Seems a bit far fetched. Do footballers really think like that? This would mean they were giving up when we were one win off the playoffs.