Dean Smith - Confirmed

[darren woolley]

I'm a Dean Smith fan and I have faith in him and believe what he's trying to do Saturday's loss to Southampton was gutting with Marvelous making a mistake to gift them a goal and El Ghazi not really doing anything to stop that header and Matty Targett letting Ings get a tap in when he should have got to the ball first the players need to step up and make it more difficult for the opposition players it was too easy for them on Saturday.

[Drummond]

Wouldn't surprise me.  I think the set up is all wrong.  We've got Pitarch as DoF, but being brutally honest the majority of his acquisitions haven't worked out at all.  He (Pitarch) hasn't been at the last 4 or 5 games, so not sure what's going on there.

I suspect he's out scouting replacements.

I think the signings are good and there are definite qualities in all of the players we've bought. However, the issue really is having some experience and someone who can steady the ship. They are the players that everyone wants of course.

[themossman]

Yep the signings really do feel very 2015. I can really see trez for example being a cracking player for someone else in a year or two or when we’re back in the championship

[TonyD]

Yes.  Saturday did seem all very Remi Garde. 

[Richard E]

Yep the signings really do feel very 2015. I can really see trez for example being a cracking player for someone else in a year or two or when we’re back in the championship

Depends who is in League 2 or the National League in a year or two.

[Ian.]

Yep the signings really do feel very 2015. I can really see trez for example being a cracking player for someone else in a year or two or when we’re back in the championship

Trez, Marvelous and Doug are going to be very good players in the future and I do hope that’s for us.

[ChicagoLion]

Just a thought ......could Smith be under instructions to player Wesley week in week out?

Sometimes managers play a player they did not want to make a point.
It is baffling why he has persevered with Wes when the rest of the world could see he needed a change or rest.

[ktvillan]

The players bought in 2015 all looked like duds for us but quite a few have gone on to show they are decent players - Veretout, Ayew, Amavi and just look at Traore now.  Some of this year's crop may well turn out to be decent but at the moment they all seem to be lacking - pace is the big thing that's missing for me, but other things stand out.  Trezeguet has a bit of pace but zero composure especially in front of goal- I'm afraid I think he's shit.  AEG has some ability but goes missing 90% of the time.  Jota is very skilful but slower than continental drift and lightweight.  Targett isn't a great defender and the only other option at LB can't attack.     

The last few games though there has been a noticeable lack of effort - our pressing has been almost non-existent, and that is vital when playing a high defensive line.  That has to be Smith's responsibility, as well as the apparent lack of fitness and stamina.

[SoccerHQ]

Yep the signings really do feel very 2015. I can really see trez for example being a cracking player for someone else in a year or two or when we’re back in the championship

Trez, Marvelous and Doug are going to be very good players in the future and I do hope that’s for us.

I've been happy with Engles and Gullibert at various points of the season. Ironcially given Ming's loss of form, his absence is really hurting the other CBs. When Long did Bjorn for pace on Saturday there was no Mings coming round on cover to bail him out.

The only two summer signings I don't rate and think are massive wastes of money are Targett and of course Wesley. The rest need some help and experience.

Maybe it's a little different for keepers but Heaton is a solid premier league proven player and bar the odd game he's been good for us this season. More please.

[achilles]

The players bought in 2015 all looked like duds for us but quite a few have gone on to show they are decent players - Veretout, Ayew, Amavi and just look at Traore now.  Some of this year's crop may well turn out to be decent but at the moment they all seem to be lacking - pace is the big thing that's missing for me, but other things stand out.  Trezeguet has a bit of pace but zero composure especially in front of goal- I'm afraid I think he's shit.  AEG has some ability but goes missing 90% of the time.  Jota is very skilful but slower than continental drift and lightweight.  Targett isn't a great defender and the only other option at LB can't attack.     

The last few games though there has been a noticeable lack of effort - our pressing has been almost non-existent, and that is vital when playing a high defensive line.  That has to be Smith's responsibility, as well as the apparent lack of fitness and stamina.

Apparently Saints ran 5km more than us on Saturday, make of that what you will?

[Drummond]

As was said in the post match thread, Dean Smith is an attack-minded coach.

He just hasn't the attackers and therefore our defense and midfield get overrun.

[Luke8]

As was said in the post match thread, Dean Smith is an attack-minded coach.

He just hasn't the attackers and therefore our defense and midfield get overrun.

I don’t disagree, but surely that is where Smith has to then be doing more to help the players out, rather than persist with a system that is clearly not getting the best out of the players. He can change formations without having to sacrifice his attacking principals.

[Luke8]

I've been happy with Engles and Gullibert at various points of the season. Ironcially given Ming's loss of form, his absence is really hurting the other CBs. When Long did Bjorn for pace on Saturday there was no Mings coming round on cover to bail him out.

The only two summer signings I don't rate and think are massive wastes of money are Targett and of course Wesley. The rest need some help and experience.

I don’t actually think either are poor players. I think they are two (of a number of) players where if we played in a slightly difference way we could get more from them by providing them with a little more help.

Three at the back would allow Targett to offer an attacking outlet while not massively exposing him defensively like we currently are.

As for Wes, he might be good, he might not, I’m honestly not sure. Mainly because he has been so isolated recently -  we aren’t getting people any where near as close to him as we were at the start of the season. Mentioned it in another thread, but I reckon if  he had been upfront for either of the three teams with have just played and I think he would probably have done alright.

[Risso]

Struggling to see what attributes Wesley has that would make him a success anywhere else. No pace, can’t beat a man, crap in the air, no decent shot on him. Hardly set the world alight at his previous side.

[Bad English]

Struggling to see what attributes Wesley has that would make him a success anywhere else. No pace, can’t beat a man, crap in the air, no decent shot on him. Hardly set the world alight at his previous side.

You forgot 'can't trap a ball' and 'can't stay on his feet'.