Dean Smith - Confirmed

[footyskillz]

Good grief. Give the bloke a break. He’s less than three months into the job , hasn’t yet had a transfer window, injuries to key players and we are still in with a good shout of the playoffs. How many of the critical posters above would feel happy being criticised in their jobs with similar constraints after that period of time , I wonder?

Think people who are giving a 3 month appraisal are perfectly right and healthy to on performance so far .

Injuries and unbalanced squad are taken into consideration by all , I believe , which comment here as we are all aware .

However it feels like some have head in clouds and that posters who even ' dare' give a critical performance observation and question are just told
" he hasn't been here long "
"It's not his squad"
"We have injuries"

I admire dean Smith as he doesn't use this as an excuse and I don't think ever would .
That's a massive plus about this coach.

He's working with what he's got and we are commenting on how he's working with what he's got.

Straightforward really.

[Toronto Villa]

Why are they heads in the clouds statements when all of it is absolutely factually correct?

[footyskillz]

Why are they heads in the clouds statements when all of it is absolutely factually correct?

That seemingly Dean smith is above critical analysis so that why as my own observation to some it feels he can't be questionned .

Yet after 3 months plus recurring paterns and general debate for improvement some comment on what needs improving or how we are playing should be made without being told it's too soon or it's harsh when it's actually pretty accurate or fair assessment of situation

[OzVilla]

Bruce left us with a lopsided squad not fit for purpose - that being promotion. It’s still the same squad but depleted further by injuries to crucial players and loss of form of players playing out of position (Chester which was largely caused by Bruce’s negligence). Dean Smith needs time to sort out the clusterfuck at the back and on the training ground he now so clearly inherited.

We’ll be a good shout for play offs but we’re never going to be in the running for the autos once Bruce had left us in a mess imo.

[OzVilla]

Why are they heads in the clouds statements when all of it is absolutely factually correct?

That seemingly Dean smith is above critical analysis so that why as my own observation to some it feels he can't be questionned .

Yet after 3 months plus recurring paterns and general debate for improvement some comment on what needs improving or how we are playing should be made without being told it's too soon or it's harsh when it's actually pretty accurate or fair assessment of situation

Isn’t the point being made that the way Smith is asking us to play as at odds with the abilities, both technical and physical, with the squad left and conditioned by Bruce and his team. Not really being critical of Smith more what he inherited. He’s just working out who he needs to keep and move on, the style will be the style.

[Fred Crump]

I’m really looking forward to games as I never did under Bruce for the following reasons:  a) its entertaining b) we have an intelligent articulate manager who makes sensible decisions most of the time and c) he has changed the way we try to play , even if at times the team hasn’t been able to carry it out because of limitations caused by injury or lack of technical capability. We quite rightly moaned about the dreary , defensive, directionless, disjointed performances under Bruce and blamed him. It seems a bit odd to grumble about Dean Smith already when we are for the most part watching goals, attacking intent and effort from the same set of players - surely it must be him making the difference?

[achilles]

I’m really looking forward to games as I never did under Bruce for the following reasons:  a) its entertaining b) we have an intelligent articulate manager who makes sensible decisions most of the time and c) he has changed the way we try to play , even if at times the team hasn’t been able to carry it out because of limitations caused by injury or lack of technical capability. We quite rightly moaned about the dreary , defensive, directionless, disjointed performances under Bruce and blamed him. It seems a bit odd to grumble about Dean Smith already when we are for the most part watching goals, attacking intent and effort from the same set of players - surely it must be him making the difference?

Can't argue with that, perhaps in a couple of years I might re-visit!

[Fred Crump]

I’m really looking forward to games as I never did under Bruce for the following reasons:  a) its entertaining b) we have an intelligent articulate manager who makes sensible decisions most of the time and c) he has changed the way we try to play , even if at times the team hasn’t been able to carry it out because of limitations caused by injury or lack of technical capability. We quite rightly moaned about the dreary , defensive, directionless, disjointed performances under Bruce and blamed him. It seems a bit odd to grumble about Dean Smith already when we are for the most part watching goals, attacking intent and effort from the same set of players - surely it must be him making the difference?

Can't argue with that, perhaps in a couple of years I might re-visit!

Me too.  But until then I’m going to enjoy it ! 

[footyskillz]

Not odd to grumble and flag up a pattern about dropping points .

Noting that have been drawing last two matches after leading in both when wins would have put us in a stronger position in gains on those above .

It's ok to comment and make observation on the current manager relative shortcomings as much as it is to swoon and enjoy the attacking play.

We know to expect attacking football it's all the other stuff which is failing us that I hope will be addressed

[Fred Crump]

“Think people who are giving a 3 month appraisal are perfectly right and healthy to on performance so far”

Of course , it’s a fans forum. It’s about opinions. But I don’t have to agree with yours and for what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ve got my head in the clouds Mr Footyskillz.

[Fred Crump]

Or am I prone to swooning.

[footyskillz]

Well Dean Smith has the capability to woo us all if it clicks right

Will leave it there !

Up the villa
And enjoy the new year my crump !

“Think people who are giving a 3 month appraisal are perfectly right and healthy to on performance so far”

Of course , it’s a fans forum. It’s about opinions. But I don’t have to agree with yours and for what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ve got my head in the clouds Mr Footyskillz.

Or am I prone to swooning.

[brontebilly]

Bruce left us with a lopsided squad not fit for purpose - that being promotion. It’s still the same squad but depleted further by injuries to crucial players and loss of form of players playing out of position (Chester which was largely caused by Bruce’s negligence). Dean Smith needs time to sort out the clusterfuck at the back and on the training ground he now so clearly inherited.

We’ll be a good shout for play offs but we’re never going to be in the running for the autos once Bruce had left us in a mess imo.

We looked possibly the best side in the division v West Brom only a few weeks ago, should have won comfortably.

No one has stepped up with Grealish off but Smith's use of whats left of the squad hasnt been great over Xmas imo

[Fred Crump]

 Cheers, You too Footy 

[john e]

Not finishing in the top 6 would be a failure.

If people were asking this of SB when he first took over in 16/17 it certainly should be asked for now.

yep I would agree,
Bruce didn't exactly take over a smooth running engine of a side and I said he should make the play offs at least in his first season
Smith had taken over a mish mash if a squad but I still feel he should be making the play offs

the reason being we arn't playing in some top quality league here, we are in the championship
QPR, Middlesbrough and fucking Birmingham City are above us
the sides above and around us are no better than us, we might have a toothless midfield without Grealish but it's still better than most

the general quality is poor, you don't have to be great to make it in the top 6,
 you just have to get yourselves organised  have a go and play with confidence, and we have enough players who can do that even if most of them were bought by Bruce and will not make the grade long term

so I agree with PWS im not giving him a bye for the rest of the season I want to see us play with that swagger again and get into those top 6 places