Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Mister E]

The old adage that those who live by the sword die by the sword is true. We are now a wonderful team but it was that attacking mindset that cost us last night. We were still in that mood rather than looking after the clock, in injury time, that led to their equaliser.

Mind you better defenders and a keeper would mean we could still take this approach and concede less goals. Hutton and Chester got skinned for their first and both Chester and Nyland should have done better for the equalizer ...

That's the critical bit, and IMHO what Smith does about the replacements for LFB, CB and keeper in January will define our season.

[Villafirst]

I wish Deano had been made our manager when Di Matteo was sacked - over 2 years ago (yes, 2 years!). I honestly think we would be PL top-half, at least by now........Bruce was a massive mistake as Manager.

[olaftab]

Yes, because taking a step back and inviting teams to attack has always worked so well in the past.

No not taking a step back and defending it’s more about looking after the ball keeping hold of it which we are very good at and therefore reducing risk.

[SamTheMouse]

He's got it. Whatever "it" is, he's definitely got it

[VinnieChase84]

If only we had acted sooner and got him in....

[purpletrousers]

If only we had acted sooner and got him in....

It doesn't need saying, which makes it such a damn pleasure to say it.

How often in recent years has it felt we haven't recruited the right manager, for a variety of reasons?

I don't care a bit whether he was first choice or not, and I'm not sure Dean Smith would either. It's such a relief to have a sensible, humble, mature, respectful, skilled, grounded man at the helm.

Again it doesn't need saying, the transformation that tactics, coaching, instilling confidence (presumably) has made is simply joyous.

 

[SoccerHQ]

I wish Deano had been made our manager when Di Matteo was sacked - over 2 years ago (yes, 2 years!). I honestly think we would be PL top-half, at least by now........Bruce was a massive mistake as Manager.

I honestly don't think he was ready at that point...he'd been at Brentford less than a year so I fear the job would've gobbled him up like Lambert as we still had major issues at the time e.g actually winning games.

Start of last year I had my reservations but no such problem this season as he's experienced enough at this level now.

[LukeJames]

Listening to Dean Smiths and Darren Moores  post match interview's after Fridays game was like night and day, I like Darren Moore in general but he could barely string a sentence together without saying ermmmmm or throwing a shite cliche in there.

[nigel]

Listening to Dean Smiths and Darren Moores  post match interview's after Fridays game was like night and day, I like Darren Moore in general but he could barely string a sentence together without saying ermmmmm or throwing a shite cliche in there.

In fairness there are plenty of managers, and players alike, who struggle speaking in front of the camera.

The only Night and Day for me was their differing views on the game

[dave shelley]

Listening to Dean Smiths and Darren Moores  post match interview's after Fridays game was like night and day, I like Darren Moore in general but he could barely string a sentence together without saying ermmmmm or throwing a shite cliche in there.

In fairness there are plenty of managers, and players alike, who struggle speaking in front of the camera.

The only Night and Day for me was their differing views on the game

Listening to Darren Moore's post-match interview, what I took from it was a man knowing his team had been very, very lucky and he couldn't actually come out and say so.  His difficulty seemed to me to be articulating this in words that didn't actually say so quickly enough.  I still like him though.

[Lastfootstamper]

Upper Trinity now open for Swansea. Nice.

Saw your post.
Rang to claim our old seats.

They've charged me extra money. They've not done that previously.

It's ffp gorn mad.

Back up there for Leeds. No mention of having to stump up extra money this time. All a bit confusing. Do I let it lie, or get in touch with the club to demand a refund for Swansea, or would that just be risking having to shell out for Leeds too?

[Roysmert]

I go back years with Dean's father, who's a good bloke but sad to see him struggling now. Dean's been brought up a) the proper way and b) the Villa way.

[Bad English]

...imagine if Dean Smith had had a pre-season...

My 'Play Villa Bingo' card is filling up.

[Risso]

There’s a player in there somewhere.

[p_ad]

It's like a new signing