Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Clampy]

It is only the 3rd of Jan and we did sort a goalkeeper out nice and early. I'm sure we're working on bringing people in.

[Steve67]

Not sure whether it's a credible source but 'This is Futbol' claiming that Doukoure is asking for too much money and the deal is in danger, like the Hause deal, of falling through.  We will see.  I'm sure they have other options lined up and we have to be patient and use up all of the 31 days of the transfer window, or 38 if you are Arsenal!

[mike]

Yes, I just had it in my head that the day he arrived, Smith was on with sorting out our defence. To be fair, those early results did make me a bit heady.

[sickbeggar]

It is only the 3rd of Jan and we did sort a goalkeeper out nice and early. I'm sure we're working on bringing people in.

yep. Tbf us "amateurs" could see where the problems were before we even kicked a ball in August. I'm sure Smith is well aware he's got a busy month.

[tomd2103]

I think if you haven't bought into the "building something long-term" idea  then you probably are going to be disappointed by our league position today. okay he wasn't my 1st or indeed 2nd choice for doing it, but I doubt we've had a Manager since Little or BFR who understands what this club is about and possibly has the ability to do it. I think we will get to the play-offs personally, but if not, success for me personally will be starting next season with a squad with a majority of players we own, that the manager has chosen to buy or who he wants to keep and not dependant on loans to make us competitive.  If his judgement in those players is proven flawed and he fails then so be it. Doesn't mean in 3 seasons time i want to jump back on the Bruce mr promotion bandwagon and dump any planning with a new guy

Agree with a lot of this.  We have to remember of course that Smith is still a relatively young and inexperienced manager.  Hopefully he will continue to develop and improve as time goes on and I think it is encouraging that his Brentford side showed definite signs of progression over the last couple of seasons. 

The defensive side is a bit of a concern, but I am not sure how much of that is down to personnel.  We do look too open at times though and I guess that is something he will have to work on. 

[Villa75]

When we stop having to loan players to make us remotely competitive, then I'll know we're "building something long term". As it is, everything just smacks of short term, 'bandaid', quick fixes.

[Pvb1968]

We've scored 27 goals in the last 11 games under Dean smith, new goalkeeper, new elphick and others to follow. We a know if Dean had us from pre season we would be higher in the league and I'm sure with 5 games to go we will be in the mix with a great chance, in Dean we trust.

[footyskillz]

We've scored 27 goals in the last 11 games under Dean smith, new goalkeeper, new elphick and others to follow. We a know if Dean had us from pre season we would be higher in the league and I'm sure with 5 games to go we will be in the mix with a great chance, in Dean we trust.

Actually We don't know for sure but we can speculate  .
Even if you  posted  epxected goals and stats to back up your stuff that Dean Smith would have us higher it's not absolute.

Also would Bruce have us where if he was still in charge points wise ?

Any way I think you're meaning to say Smith has a lot of potential shown some positive results and performance and that if we had him from pre season then you would think that based on what you've seen this far he would have us higher position in table.

Would we have signed Bolasie Mcginn and Abraham though?

Yes I trust him to handle matches in a positive and progressive fashion yet some concerns of
closing out matches and losing winning positions.

When we stop having to loan players to make us remotely competitive, then I'll know we're "building something long term". As it is, everything just smacks of short term, 'bandaid', quick fixes.

Exactly Abrahams for all his quality is blocking other members of squad .
If Smith was really ruthless he could send him back and all the other loanees concentrate on building .
Or more plausible if we were midtable and out of touch
So best to keep Abrahams even though he's in the way unless we change system
Clubs do that end of season why not do it now.

Though in this case Abrahams should be kept didn't say get rid.

[mr underhill]

Abraham isn't blocking anyone though Skillz unless you mean Kodjia playing centrally? Of course he can and probably would if Tammy leaves but I'm convinced myself he wouldn't/won't be as fecund in that role. I'm not even going to include Hogan in the debate because he's unquestionably shite.

[footyskillz]

Keenan Davis ?

Bruce for all his faults gave the guy a go though I think circumstances meant he turned to big Keenan .

As we're blessed with a plethora of strikers it makes sense to have two strikers or even 3 up front .

I think over time that will occur and I'll have to be patient because clearly the strikers don't fit the structure .

It's admirable Smith has a set formation and style and over time -long term players will be set to play and understand role


Really it's a transition period but isn't this often the case with teams and clubs it's cycles.

Villa getting it together in a  patient manner  means the cycle this time can be an enjoyable ride. An era of pleasure
 

[Matt Collins]

I like keinan

But he's the opposite of prolific. And there's much less of a case for him now we're playing less direct football. At times last season, having keinan upfront was the only hope of turning one of elmo's punts down the line into something purposeful

[footyskillz]

When we stop having to loan players to make us remotely competitive, then I'll know we're "building something long term". As it is, everything just smacks of short term, 'bandaid', quick fixes.

Kinda like sexual relations
It's like to hammer or plunder or go more sensual with intimacy .
There's wild passion sometimes but a more sophisticated and planned approach like of tantric level will have us all gushing and cumming.
 
We are hoping we get to get the ultimate climax and repeatedly to enjoy  ones taking the 'slow' route.

Though a quickie is good fun sometimes right !

Abrahams is our quickie he's a very public affair satisfying us and others are now desiring him

I certainly don't mean to offend and haven't been overly sexual explicit just strikes me that 'levels of intimacy' is similar in what trying to achieve at Villa.

[Clampy]

Blimey, Footyskillz has turned into Kenneth Williams.

[LukeJames]

This thread has gone to some strange places over the past few days.

[West Derby Villan]

Oohhh I say!