Dean Smith - Confirmed

[ASHTONVILLA]

Amazing what a difference Grealish has made, and obviousy delighted with the return to form.

I am still concerned about just how badly we faded with Grealish out, and how we failed to adapt our play to suit the remaining players. But hopefully it was a blip and we go about recruiting players that can play this system, which is a hell of lot better to watch than anything we have seen in recent years when it functions properly.

I must admit I was scratching my head at the January transfer activity, but both Hause and Mings look very good now and the whole defence is so much better than before.

Starting to believe we can get promoted this season!

[Neil Hawkes]

Amazing what a difference Grealish has made, and obviousy delighted with the return to form.

I am still concerned about just how badly we faded with Grealish out, and how we failed to adapt our play to suit the remaining players. But hopefully it was a blip and we go about recruiting players that can play this system, which is a hell of lot better to watch than anything we have seen in recent years when it functions properly.

I must admit I was scratching my head at the January transfer activity, but both Hause and Mings look very good now and the whole defence is so much better than before.

Starting to believe we can get promoted this season!

Although Jack being out affected our results badly, I would also say that if he had been out for longer we would still have seen an improvement in recent results with the back-line becoming more solid. We've gone from shipping goals for fun to not shipping many at all, that I would not attribute to Jacks' return, more so the combination of Mings, Hause & Steer improving every game, (and whatever fullbacks have been brought in not by first choice, but to cover for more injuries)

[Toronto Villa]

The back line has been very much improved but we play much deeper without Jack. He along with McGinn forces the opppents back but not only that makes each and every player feel bigger, faster, taller, stronger. The confidence he brings is immeasurable and even if he isn’t directly involved in goals and assists his movement and presence on the ball just opens up so much space for others. Look at the off the ball running now to when he was out. Night and day is an understatement.

[Nunkin1965]

I'd forgotten about him. Probably on Owls & Buzzards by now.

I'm surprised he's not back on here claiming Wednesday's results as vindication.

Next defeat he’ll be back.
Shame as I have a “Deano is God” T Shirt ready to post out to him to mark our upturn in form.

[Ads]

The backline has certainly improved. 2 goals in 5 games has seen us move from 3rd worst to 9th worst defence.

[walsall villain]

The backline has certainly improved. 2 goals in 5 games has seen us move from 3rd worst to 9th worst defence.

I’ve stopped shitting myself every time we have the ball in and around our area. It’s a big if but if we can keep going without injuries we might actually do it.

[ChicagoLion]

With Jack in the team we spend more time in possession and we have more time and space,
.
Without him we allow opposition teams to dominate the midfield and put more pressure on our defense.
So some of the improvement is a better defense but the majority is an effective midfield.

[olaftab]

The thing for Dean to fix is how to keep playing in the same manner if Jack is not available. The problem is December and January was that stopped  doing that.

[PeterWithesShin]

Jack makes such a difference, he loses the ball so rarely. It's either an accurate pass or he's fouled. Amazes me how rarely he's dispossessed cleanly.

[Axl Rose]

I'd forgotten about him. Probably on Owls & Buzzards by now.

I'm surprised he's not back on here claiming Wednesday's results as vindication.

Next defeat he’ll be back.
Shame as I have a “Deano is God” T Shirt ready to post out to him to mark our upturn in form.

I've no doubt we'll beat Sheff Wednesday in a couple of weeks. Bruce has got them doing well, to be fair, but our movement will be too much for them.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Amazing what a difference Grealish has made, and obviousy delighted with the return to form.

I am still concerned about just how badly we faded with Grealish out, and how we failed to adapt our play to suit the remaining players.

One of the key issues was possibly fitness. So many games, little recovery time, the team were their own worst enemy, constantly giving the ball away, a complete lack of movement and results to show it. Compare to yesterday, our third game in 6 days and the energy levels were on another level. Oh and of course, we can't ignore confidence. There are examples right across the side but probably none more than Elmo. He was generally shocking whenever he played, could beat the first man with his crosses and now he looks like a skillful, energetic, clever full back. The technique he showed yesterday in the build up to our second goal was worth the cost of the ticket alone. A real joy to watch.

[Mister E]

The thing for Dean to fix is how to keep playing in the same manner if Jack is not available...

I’d say there are a few strategies for those inevitable occasions when JG is unavailable to play:
- get O’Hare, Ramsey and - possibly - El Ghazi prepared enough that they can take the #10 role when required
- bring in Lolley or someone else showing high potential as an additional ‘one to mark’
- make a cheeky / audacious bid for Eden Hazard!

I think it is as much about improvIng the overall MF quality as having a readymade replacement. It’s no coincidence that JG’s return has brought the best out of McGinn, and - indeed - Whelan. Pack the MF with great players and the absence of 1 won’t be as hard felt.

[paul_e]

Jack makes such a difference, he loses the ball so rarely. It's either an accurate pass or he's fouled. Amazes me how rarely he's dispossessed cleanly.

I've said it a few times but the way he gets a toe to the ball ahead of the defender every time reminds me massively of Zidane. I'm not saying he'll go on to be as good but in that one area he's developed a very similar technique and it works brilliantly because it just draws defenders into challenges they shouldn't be making and either creates space or wins free kicks.

[LeeB]

There's no comparison with Zidane.

His 'monkeys bum' hairstyle was not even in the same league as Jack.

[footyskillz]

ftp://

I thought Skillz had  declared he was going into hiding for a while?

Ha yes!
I'm going now and be back after the ' tough ' run in march !
Not a peep from me in meantime

I'm pleased I now it's a positive site .
But as the fortunes changed believe me I wanted to peep up.

So many high lights

That footyskillz goal Grealish volleyed in was Uber supreme.

And I would have also being strongly touted Blues to have a 3 matches behind closed doors and no fans allowed.
Look where we are in the league !!! Can any one believe this !!

And those results !!
I was actually not going back if Villa messed that up !

Up the villa.