Dean Smith - Confirmed

[PeterWithesShin]

So what nearly everyone has been saying then?

[AVH87]

I think some fans need to wake up, get a reality check and acknowledge that (with the exception of a few) our squad is piss poor and should set their expectations lower whilst our best players are out injured. Without those players, we are a poor Championship team on par with the likes of Blackburn, Sheffield Weds, Stoke (we're clearly not as good as Hull, Swansea or Brentford)...but with those players fit, then we are capable of making the playoffs.

Also note that Bruce had a fully fit squad at the start of the season which included Grealish and Axel...he still couldn't get a tune out of them, lost his job and we'd most likely be in a relegation scrap if he was still here. It wasn't perfect due to individual errors and mistakes, but Smith brought about an instant improvement in performances, style of play and results which has only declined since losing those key players.

At some point we have to stop this managerial merry go round at Villa Park, and you can't crucify Smith so soon after inheriting the shambles of a squad that has been left on his doorstep by his predecessors. There will be a big clear out in the summer, and the only thing that matters between now and then is that the fans keep their shit together and be patient regardless of results. Short term thinking leads to long term problems.

I don't expect top 6 given that Grealish has missed half the season and most of our midfield are plodders. But having been given money to spend, surely the form has to improve under Smith? You wouldn't consider 1 or 2 wins between now and the rest of the season acceptable would you?

[SoccerHQ]

I don’t, but if we lost say 10 of our remaining games I’d be surprised if the owners retained confidence in the manager for the long-term.

We're having as poor a run as SB did around this time in 16/17. Of course different owners but I'd be amazed if DS wasn't manager in August.

Ever since the meeting in London in mid January and DS coming out straight afterwards saying average age of squad needed to come down suggests long term planning at long last.

Surely our lax transfer window also hinted the board weren't going all out for promotion? Remember we didn't replace Hogan or Bolasie when they left.

[Three Spires Villa]

That’s fine and I agree with a lot of that. However wouldn’t it be good considering Dean has a free hit, to try some different things. You, like me were probably at Reading & Brentford away, and those performances along with today make me question Dean. The team formation is not working so try something different, your the manager / head coach, have a new thought.

[PeterWithesShin]

2 wins in 12 is as bad as it got for SB in 16/17. I said if it's 2 wins from the last 27 to finis the season then there's very little chance he'll be here. Which there isn't.

[LukeJames]

Thats his selected formation that he uses primarily. He's probably seeing which players can fit into it going forwards... not alot of them is the obvious answer.

[Ads]

Watch Norwich's goal at Bolton. That's why you stick by a good idea, even during the lean times. Sensational football.

[SoccerHQ]

2 wins in 12 is as bad as it got for SB in 16/17. I said if it's 2 wins from the last 27 to finis the season then there's very little chance he'll be here. Which there isn't.

Well we've won two since mid December so figured at this point it was a similar run, infact this season to me is near identical to 16/17 considering we changed managers at similar times which gave us inital boost and we also have same dysfunctional squad (poor defence, unbalanced midfield, underachieving attack).

Then Kodj caught fire and we went on a very good run up to last 5 games. Don't expect same this time but I imagine we'll win a few in March and April when we play likes of Bolton and Rotherham. 10th on 62 points feels about right.

[Three Spires Villa]

Watch Norwich's goal at Bolton. That's why you stick by a good idea, even during the lean times. Sensational football.

And I really, really hope that’s us next season, and fair play to you Ads, I’m just not sure it will be

[XXVilla]

Watch Norwich's goal at Bolton. That's why you stick by a good idea, even during the lean times. Sensational football.

And I really, really hope that’s us next season, and fair play to you Ads, I’m just not sure it will be

Norwich were 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' last year. There’s always hope

[Three Spires Villa]

Of course there is, and my hope is that I am very wrong and we win the league next season

[adrenachrome]

That’s fine and I agree with a lot of that. However wouldn’t it be good considering Dean has a free hit, to try some different things. You, like me were probably at Reading & Brentford away, and those performances along with today make me question Dean. The team formation is not working so try something different, your the manager / head coach, have a new thought.

If he has been told to ship most of them out if he needs to, how should he best go about so doing? Think about it for a moment; the transition is going to be painful.

Bolassie's abrupt departure has made things clear for much of the squad. I don't think that was planned, but it is a done deal now.  Our most likely prospects from the youth team have been sent out on loan which indicates that we are building for next season.

We are a club that his been in a state of self-perpetuating flux for many years, and we have to stop it at some point.

[Three Spires Villa]

Maybe some of our prospects should have stopped at the club, and been coached and given game time so they are exactly as the manager wants them for next season. Now there’s a crazy idea!!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

How does 1 win in 19 games between 27th Dec and April 17th sound ? Anyone care to guess which of our former managers did that ? 

[LukeJames]

I'd be hoping that Suso has sent them out to teams that play similar styles to what we intend to become.