Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Nunkin1965]

Sometimes this site is embarrassing.

[Clampy]

Sacking him is the easy thing to do and I haven't seen any credible options as who to replace him with yet. I'd stick with him but it needs to improve massively after yesterday.

Being true to form there Clampy.
Not having a a go at you, but you are being consistent in your defence of every single manager we have ended up sacking.

I know why you might think that not really. Bruce should have gone after the play off final, Lambert should have gone after the last game of the season down at Spurs where we lost 4-0. I thought Di Matteo went a bit early but I think there was more too it than just results. Remi Garde seemed like a good idea at the wrong time but even he hasn't had a job since I don't think. The only one I didn't have any patience with (and I should have) was Houiller. Smith did a amazing job getting us up and I think he should get the chance to turn this slump round but yesterday was pathetic.

[Ads]

We should win on boxing day - lose and he'll go I think. I'd like to see 2 up front Boxing day. If we stuff it up and they win I've no idea who'll replace him.

I can see two points at most from the next two games, then we've got Burnley away and Man City at home.  Looking nailed on for relegation I reckon.

If nothing changes, then yes. It's hard to fathom dominating Man United for large periods and the last 3 performances. Outclassed by Chelsea we may have been, but we were stubborn and dogged at least and but for a brilliant save, may have got a point.

Time to change, Smith  or it will be time to change Smith.

[LukeJames]

Once fans on forums start discussing the managers head in numbers, this then progresses to unrest on the terraces (which I believe began yesterday? ). Very rarely  does a manager manage to turn opinion around from this point and in our case we tend to keep them too long and it turns poisonous.

I really hope he can turn it round but I hugely doubt it.

[dave.woodhall]

Once fans on forums start discussing the managers head in numbers, this then progresses to unrest on the terraces (which I believe began yesterday? ). Very rarely  does a manager manage to turn opinion around from this point and in our case we tend to keep them too long and it turns poisonous.

I really hope he can turn it round but I hugely doubt it.

Fans on forums aren't that important.

[A Northern Soul]

There are obvious flaws to me - Wesley needs support, the defence is stretched, the full backs prefer going forward, the wingers are ineffective and the midfield is looking bare. We know he wants to play 433 but he could address many of those problems by going 532. Can Chester get through games in a back 3? Can the midfield be eased with 2 in front of them? Heaton - Guilbert Engels Chester Hause Targett - Grealish Nakamba Luiz - Wesley Kodjia?

[levico]

Once fans on forums start discussing the managers head in numbers, this then progresses to unrest on the terraces (which I believe began yesterday? ). Very rarely  does a manager manage to turn opinion around from this point and in our case we tend to keep them too long and it turns poisonous.

I really hope he can turn it round but I hugely doubt it.

I have to agree - with huge regret.
My biggest concern now is that our owners don’t react quick enough. Going down with the hope of a speedy return is a hugely flawed and expensive strategy. We should be confirming our ambition by appointing a big name, experienced manager.

[LukeJames]

Probably not but I think it gives a decent first indication of what way opinion is starting to lean towards.

[ChicagoLion]

Based on the performances over the last couple of weeks it looks like some of the players have given up on him. This happens when they stop believing in what the manager is doing. All of the issues that have been raised regarding DS decisions, selection, system ,poor game management effect attitude and commitment.

[Risso]

Smith doesn't even appear to have a clue who his best midfield is.  These have been the central three for the last few games:

Southampton - Hourihane, Luiz, McGinn
Sheffield United - McGinn, Nakamba, Lansbury
Leicester - McGinn, Nakamba, Luiz
Chelsea - Hourihane, Nakamba, McGinn
Man U - McGinn, Luiz, Hourihane

Five games, five attempts at finding the right formula and failed in all of them except Man U.

[David_Nab]

Last season against Rotheram down to 10 needing to win he puts on Kodjia with the plan being the extra attacker will cause more issues to negate the loss of a man in midfield.A good decision made at half time after watching the fh.

Yesterday 2 nil down and struggling , he leaves it does nothing ..they score and then he makes the change to me at least it was obvious sending them out 2h exactly as he had been fh was not going to work. All seaon a reoccurring trait is him waiting too long to make changes in games ,I can't recall a change made that has really changed the flow of the game.

The manager can only instruct the players once on the pitch they need to perform and clearly some for what ever reason are not , but he repeatedly says we need to do this , need to do that yet every game same formation/tactics and games flow the same way. Norwich is a massive game now if we line up the same way again and lose then the board back him in Jan to add players to play to how he is setting up or they consider replacing him.

[olaftab]

I said after the Leicester  defeat that we are on the brink. Everything depends on how we react and recover from there. It looks as though we have fallen on the wrong side. Smith and his team have been tactically out maneuvered by almost every team in the last 9 games. During that period we have only had some success against Newcastle and Manure. It started with being tactically defeated and has now moved onto being taken down on  physical effort and desire. Our heads are dropping and yesterday the team spent a fair chunk of match arguing amongst themselves. I noted that Smith, Terry and O'Kelly were stood up in the technical area for the entirety of the second half clearly indicating  that there is a problem. So, I think, they know what's going wrong trick is now if they are good enough to introduce correction? Their playing resources are depleted with Mings and McGinn out
 and another couple of bad results at home and fans will lose hope so it's going to take something special to bring us out of this slump.

[in exile]

Looks like I'm not the only one falling out of love with Dean Smith

[Flin5tone]

I think the players aren't happy, did anyone see Guilbert kick the post in anger yesterday

[CT]

I'd like to see Dean bring James Chester in for Norwich. We are screaming out for some experience back there, plus it would take the weight of the captaincy off Jacks shoulders.