Dean Smith - Confirmed

[London Villan]

I’d love Roy Hodgson now.

[Toronto Villa]

Hadn’t Hodgson done a very decent job at Fulham, got them to a UEFA cup final or something? And had experience in Europe in Switzerland and at Inter. I don’t think it was completely outrageous. It wasn’t the best time at Liverpool but I think they had all kinds of boardroom issues going on at the time. Overall Hodgson has had a pretty decent career across loads of clubs and England.

[rougegorge]

The Villa fan in today's Observer with the half term report gives Smith 8/10! Even allowing for the fact that it would have been written before yesterday, it's far too high a mark. He also says he'd like to see him let loose with the chequebook in January.

Given his track record on signings so far, I wouldn't. I know there are others scouting players, but the buck stops with the manager.

Also, I don't necessarily think that teams have necessarily needed to 'work us out'. The formation of 4-3-3 would be ok if the players were good Premier league quality. However the players he signed to fulfil the front 3 positions have not been good enough at this level all season.

[Nii Lamptey]

How old is he now though? A man of his age couldn't cope with the stresses and strains of the Villa job now. 5-10 years ago maybe - We'd be in another Houllier situation.

[garyshawsknee]

That explains why Liverpool fans have very little time for Purslow.

[SoccerHQ]

That explains why Liverpool fans have very little time for Purslow.

At least Purslow has done the job before.

Tom Fox was some glorified salesman at Arsenal when we gave him the keys to the madhouse.

[The Edge]

I have to say i'm finding this thread a little bit distasteful. Dean Smith is our manager and he should be shown the respect he deserves. Yes we're going through a sticky patch but as supporters of the club we all love we should be getting behind him now just like the owners who have recently put their faith in him to the tune of a new 4 year contract. This is the place to discuss our opinions on how things have panned out so far this season but to be discussing his replacement as if it's a done deal is a tad disloyal in my view.

[ChicagoLion]

Welcome to the internet.

[themossman]

Cleverer proper than me will know the answer to this... but I’m trying to decide whether promoted teams putting sentiment aside and changing manager early works more often than not. There are good examples like Southampton, bad ones like Fulham, although you suspect the damage was done over the summer (parallels?)

Must admit I’m struggling to think of many good examples of loyalty to a promotion winning manager being rewarded. Warnock sticks in my mind.

[Dougs Socks]

Dispite the Hourihane substitution, i find it hard to criticise for yesterdays gutless performance. I do however hold a fair few of our players responsible, and with that the buffoon whom scouted and recruited them. Thats where this mess lies, with summer recruitment.

Maupey and Benhrama wanted to come, Smith wanted them...we (forever what reason) baulked at the price and bought a few duds instead. Cheap buys you sod all in this league, trying to be clever and cheap buys you even less...and on top of that, they recruit a striker whom is so raw and does not even fit Smiths style of play, for a whopping 22 million!

No, Smith has his faults (all managers do), but this mess falls directly at the Door of Suso and to a lesser degree, Purslow for sanctioning it.

Massive January now, but im a little worried as to what our scouting team will be recommending

[Legion]

Pitarch was the one who vetoed the Maupay signing, not Purslow. That is why we have ended up with Wes.

[Toronto Villa]

Pitarch was the one who vetoed the Maupay signing, not Purslow. That is why we have ended up with Wes.

Was it? Dean Smith is on record saying he didn’t feel he wanted to spend that kind of money on Maupay.

[Legion]

I think it was Risso who pointed out my error as I originally thought it was Purslow.

[hilts_coolerking]

It should have been Maupay AND Wesley.

[ChicagoLion]

Whoever thought that we had enough up front needs looking at.
Still does not explain Smith picking him week in week out.