Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Monty]

The only reason to think about Bruce is the effect keeping him on had on our prospects this year. Can you imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season? We might have been doing a Wolves by now.

[The Edge]

The only reason to think about Bruce is the effect keeping him on had on our prospects this year. Can you imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season? We might have been doing a Wolves by now.

If we don't get promoted this season I think that will be the case next season. But I honestly believe we'll go up this season by finishing 1st or 2nd. There. I've said it.

[darren woolley]

The only reason to think about Bruce is the effect keeping him on had on our prospects this year. Can you imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season? We might have been doing a Wolves by now.

Totally Agree Monty

[Tony Boucher]

What's very noticeable to me is that we're scoring a lot of unspectaular goals (finishes, anyway).  This is because the way we play just seems to lead inevitably to a golden chance and whoever's on the end to knock it in, is immaterial - they're quite often queuing-up (eg. 2nd v Boro)! 
Pre-Deano, we scored a fair few belters, but that's because we had do, since we weren't creating enough simple chances.
I'm just getting used to us having a system in place which creates so many great opportunities and I'm loving it

[SamTheMouse]

He's made me genuinely optimistic about our prospects for the first time in years.

The fact he's a Villa fan too gives the whole thing a potential goosebump-inducing, fairy-tale feel.

I've been trying not to get carried away, but fuck it. We're going to piss all over this shitty league!

[Ads]

Under Smith we're averaging 2 points a game and we're something like number 1 for passes, pass completion and possession or something daft like that.

More than a bounce. That's evolution in epic quick time. It's like we've been bitten by a radioactive football spider.

[Pvb1968]

Under smith we are a football team that will not look like we are playing Brazil from 1970 when we play Preston. At long last a proper manager who will give us a proper chance, no guarantee of anything but by christ its not boring and going knowhere. Let's enjoy the ride and hopefully entertainment.

[Iamkmkm]

The only reason to think about Bruce is the effect keeping him on had on our prospects this year. Can you imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season? We might have been doing a Wolves by now.

We would already be promoted.

[OCD]

Smith's previously worked with limited resources and had them playing good, attacking football and getting the best out of his players.

Bruce has had resources his peers could only dream of and had them playing dour, direct football and turning good players into poor ones.

[tomd2103]

The only reason to think about Bruce is the effect keeping him on had on our prospects this year. Can you imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season? We might have been doing a Wolves by now.

If we don't get promoted this season I think that will be the case next season. But I honestly believe we'll go up this season by finishing 1st or 2nd. There. I've said it.

Agree.  I would imagine he has still got so much work to do in terms of building his team both on and off the pitch, so we are only really seeing the beginning of what the club under him might be.

[PaulWinch again]

The mugging of the handball and our profligacy in a weird way shows how much Dean’s done. I watch us now, and barring a few slips, we look so dangerous. I genuinely think every team will fear us. We’ll go up, and we’ll do it well if we strengthen a bit defensively.

[Steve67]

He's working with someone else's players and doing a great job.  I still think we've not found our level yet.  Give him a bit of money to spend and I honestly think we will go up via the play offs at the very least. 

[Pete3206]

Agree. I'm already looking forward to next week.

[pauliewalnuts]

I know it is early days, but I love watching us under Dean Smith. We're a fucking good side to watch, and he's only been here a couple of months.

[Axl Rose]

We look like Brentford on steroids. I used to see them play, especially against us, and think 'why can't we play like that?'. The answer at the time was glaringly obvious, but nowadays we're really good to watch.