Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Hookeysmith]

I wanted him before and during Bruce for no other reason but his football philosophy - the first time I saw Brentford close up I loved the way he had taken a team of "non stars" and made them play exactly how I like the game played.

Lets face it they wiped the floor with us nearly every time we played them

If we get up then I can see him pitting his wills against better managers with better players

[mike]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

[Smirker]

Dean must be very proud to be in charge during this run.

Best run since 1975 could become best run since 1910 on Friday afternoon.

Anyone here on H&V who saw that 1910 run and could compare to the current squad? 😉

😂

[Lastfootstamper]

After breaking a few unwanted shit ones in recent years, this would be a fantastic record to beat.

[olaftab]

Dean must be very proud to be in charge during this run.

Best run since 1975 could become best run since 1910 on Friday afternoon.

Anyone here on H&V who saw that 1910 run and could compare to the current squad? 😉

My memory is a little hazy but let me have a go:   

1.Arthur Cartlidge. GK Sorry but none of our half a dozen  keepers come even close.
2.Tommy Lyons Superb right back.  Elmo/Cafu can touch him
3.Freddie Miles sweet foot left back even Chalie Atkin doesn't come close. Taylor is an amatuer
5.George Hunter versatile defender. A bit like Jedinaik but with speed and mobility
6.Chris Buckley  Paul McGrath of his day. Can't see anyone in current team equal to that man.
4.George Trantor Strong forthright midfielder. When he tackled  you stayed tackled. No one in current team to match up to this man.
7.Albert Hall A marauding attacker from midfield. Only Dennis comes close to him but no one in this team.
8.Bill Gerrish Superb midfielder but I suppose Jack could tie his shoelaces.
10.George Bache Best number 10. We don't have an equal in this team. Weighed in with 22 goal.
9.Harry Hampton Goal machine. Possible the best centre forward till Pongo came along. 29 goals
11.Charlie Wallace England's Winger of choice. Ripped defences apart that season. Adomah/Green are pedestrians compared to this man.

Team played a changeable formation . Mostly 433 but reverting to 442 when necessary.
So my conclusion is that this present team is ok but no where near those 1910 boys.

[Lastfootstamper]

Cheers for that, aftab. You set me off a-googling, and I came across a snippet from "Triumphs of the football field" (Aston Villa / Archie Hunter), chapter 4, "The rise of the Aston Villa" (!).

For example, in the match against the Small Heath Swifts we won by 22 goals to none; and some humourist fetched our goalkeeper, Copley, a chair to sit upon, as he had nothing at all to do, and was getting tired of standing and never having a chance of a kick.

Not that relevant to anything, but it tickled me!

Here, if you don't already know everything there is to know about the mighty, mighty Villa.

[brian green]

My lovely Villa mad Mom ( b. 29.7.1902  d. 21.6. 2000) says she saw that team play.  In her diary she claims Harry Hampton gave her a ride on the crossbar of his bike when he called at her house to go fishing with my grandfather Ben Jones.

[Risso]

1.Arthur Cartlidge.

That is a truly brilliant name. Imagine the injury list back then.  Arthur Cartlidge (half a cartilage)

[LeeB]

1.Arthur Cartlidge.

That is a truly brilliant name. Imagine the injury list back then.  Arthur Cartlidge (half a cartilage)

He was distant relative of Ivo Stas.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Also in the same school team as Neil Igament-Damage and Buster Killease.

[olaftab]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

Not sure applies both ways. The PL has destroyed many a good young managers. There are not a big list of Eddie Howe types who have cut the mustard in the top League. We must stick to a plan and back him with money if we go up.

[Mister E]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

Not sure applies both ways. The PL has destroyed many a good young managers. There are not a big list of Eddie Howe types who have cut the mustard in the top League. We must stick to a plan and back him with money if we go up.

Smith's 50, isn't he? Hardly young ...

[Chico Hamilton III]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

Not sure applies both ways. The PL has destroyed many a good young managers. There are not a big list of Eddie Howe types who have cut the mustard in the top League. We must stick to a plan and back him with money if we go up.

Smith's 50, isn't he? Hardly young ...

48 last month, which makes him a kid in my book.

[Bad English]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

Not sure applies both ways. The PL has destroyed many a good young managers. There are not a big list of Eddie Howe types who have cut the mustard in the top League. We must stick to a plan and back him with money if we go up.

Smith's 50, isn't he? Hardly young ...

Cheeky fucker!

[olaftab]

I must admit that one of my issues with appointing Smith was that I didn't see him as more than a Championship manager. I'm not so sure now...

Not sure applies both ways. The PL has destroyed many a good young managers. There are not a big list of Eddie Howe types who have cut the mustard in the top League. We must stick to a plan and back him with money if we go up.

Smith's 50, isn't he? Hardly young ...

I didn’t say he was and anyway that’s not the point of my post and also as other have said you geeky so and so😊