Dean Smith - Confirmed

[DB]

He's started looking old already, I hope to god that this job isn't a step to far, there's an awful lot of expectation on his shoulders. Is he the new messiah? I have a nagging doubt it's going to be all too much for him.
Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

He has only been in the job 2mins with a squad inherited from Bruce. He needs time and to shape the squad, starting with the defence. A keeper has already been brought in and I am sure defenders will be next. Last few weeks has seen our best player out and best central defender out.
Against Derby and Boro we have seen what he can get the team to do, fingers crossed he can do it consistently with a decent window and Grealish back (whenever that is).

[Brassneck]

but a cnut who got us to the play off final.

Getting us to the play off final is not an achievement, it was a minimum, given the players he had at his disposal.  The fact that we never really competed for top 2 all season is a bigger reflection on Bruce than any desperate claims that play offs was a success.

[KRS]

Well at least we got another day out at Wembley...always enjoyable but ruined by the game.

If Dean manages to get us there, then I'd like to think that the game and end result would add to the day rather than ruin it.

[Pvb1968]

Sit back and enjoy the ride, I'm chuffed he's in charge unlike that fat faced chancer or that cockney barrow boy who was gone in a flash.

[footyskillz]

The real positive is that we can build with Smith
He has clear ideas , loyal and a true one .

Cynically he's part employed as he'll get a heck of a long time with fan support but he's also a manager who wants to get better and is very encouraging and positive.

The support he has is actually good in terms of long term goals and both stability anf building club.

There is a conflict to an extent though because the sooner we can be promoted the villa can grow the brand and the club on a gloval level.

Championship level football is not what expected by all of us , not how this great club is perceived and the great thing is Smith knows the size and how wonderful this club is.

At this time I wouldn't wish for any other manager .

I just hope we can get things going sooner rather than later and include playing some youngster and own players.

The 3 up front last few matches have been loan players .
Really for the development and growth we need to be playing more our own .

As much as I like Tammy Abraham , loved Snodgrass having our own players develop and come thru should be a strong  next move  as much as bringing in bodies in transfer window.

[Pete3206]

He's started looking old already, I hope to god that this job isn't a step to far, there's an awful lot of expectation on his shoulders. Is he the new messiah? I have a nagging doubt it's going to be all too much for him.
Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

You are wrong.

[LukeJames]

Jesus. He's managed the toughest run of fixtures possible, with an injury hit dis-jointed squad that have been 'trained' in the art of shite football by a buffoon for two years.

It was never going to be all like Derby/Boro. This season is a complete free pass for him while he sorts us the fuck out. We'll stick make the play off's comfortably.

[footyskillz]

Why give a free pass when the whole intention of shifting Bruce out at that time of season was to still have a chance of being promoted. I can't agree but see your point. This season is not 100% his squad or full season.

However Smith himself would love promotion this season and also he not at a stage of experiments too much maybe that comes late season if villa arent there or thereabouts . However with that squad and the  competition teams I also
feel going to be top end

The big chances' conceded are of concern and I would like if he was at least competitive at top end till season end.

[robleflaneur]

And it could have been Thierry Henry which I wouldn't have minded.However,he is having a nightmare at Monaco with growing media criticism.They are in the bottom 2 and Henry's ability to relate to less skilful players than him is being questioned.There is a Guardian article but my ability to produce a link matches my talent in spotting the next great manager.
Fortunately for me and Villa,Dean Smith's talents are blindingly obvious.

[sickbeggar]

He wasn't my 1st choice and it does worry me that my major reservation about him was fan's expectations. I don't remember all this shit when Bruce was in the job for 2 months because he was "Mr Promotion" although he failed time and time again. Give the guy time - the poor fucker hasn't even had a transfer window yet. As someone who thought Bruce stayed at least a season too long, i'm gonna give Smith 2 years which is what bruce got albeit over 3 seasons and if i don't see a progression this time next season THEN i'll start getting on his back.

[Toronto Villa]

He's started looking old already, I hope to god that this job isn't a step to far, there's an awful lot of expectation on his shoulders. Is he the new messiah? I have a nagging doubt it's going to be all too much for him.
Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

What? You’re thinking too much. His hair is the same colour as it was when he got here. In fact what has been amazing is how comfortably he has taken to the position. He seems perfectly cut out for it. He’s barely lost a game since he arrived. He’ll be brilliant long term.

[old man villa fan]

If you were a supporter of another club and looked at the turn around after Smith came in you would have thought they are going to be a danger as the season progresses. We looked to be getting better with every game until injuries took effect on the shape of the team and playing. We have been wafer thin in defence and play making from midfield for so long. Smith has had to get to a fairly settled side and way of playing that all understand before introducing inexperienced players. I would expect him to bring in two left-sided defenders this transfer window.

[Matt Collins]

We need to get past the QPR game, regroup, get players fit, and get some signings in, and spend sometime on the training ground

Then go again

[mr underhill]

all in time for Saturday!

[Clampy]

He's started looking old already, I hope to god that this job isn't a step to far, there's an awful lot of expectation on his shoulders. Is he the new messiah? I have a nagging doubt it's going to be all too much for him.
Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

What? You’re thinking too much. His hair is the same colour as it was when he got here. In fact what has been amazing is how comfortably he has taken to the position. He seems perfectly cut out for it. He’s barely lost a game since he arrived. He’ll be brilliant long term.

We've lost three games under him to be precise but yes, long term I think he will be good for us. I think some of his substitutions have been a bit iffy and playing Bolaisie out on the left is a bit wasteful but other than that, I think he's took to the job pretty well.