Dean Smith - Confirmed

[SoccerHQ]

Percy now reporting that Smith is ‘fighting for his job’ with the Chelsea game being the crux.

https://twitter.com/avfctranstweet/status/1237507379597623298?s=21

Just posted the same in the Smith out thread Andy. It’s not exactly a stretch to make that assessment for any member of the media but Percy is generally pretty close to a lot coming out of Villa. I’m sure the club will just hate to fire him but in the end the cost (not just financial) of relegation will be incredible and something that has to be corrected while there is time to do so.

General rule of thumb = if John Percy says it, it is almost certainly true.

He was doing this same story if we lost to Burnley and the league cup semis at start of year.

Not sure on that. After we were awful at Watford pretty sure Percy or other journos who cover us did stories saying the club were fully backing DS.

I think the board just thought we'd kick on in the league especially after a pretty good January and at least be on 30 points by now. All it need was a point v Spurs and 4 from Bournemouth and Southampton but I imagine the awful performances in the away games have set the alarm bells ringing somewhat.

[ChicagoLion]

It’s not just been the defeats, it’s been the nature of those defeats.

[Toronto Villa]

It’s got to a point of desperation now. I can understand (even if I don’t agree) why they backed him as long as they have. But we’re getting battered now. We’re not even close to be being competitive and with what would be 9 games and 27 points it might just be enough time to get us out of the bottom 3. Because as it stands it sure as hell isn’t happening with Smith in charge.

[tomd2103]

He cut a pretty lonely and isolated figure stood in the rain just shaking his head when the camera panned in on him towards the end of the game last night.  He looked a bit lost really and it is hard to see a way back from here.

[kippaxvilla2]

Eric Black until the end of the season.

[kippaxvilla2]

How has it all come to this again in 10 months?! Never thought I’d be feeling as bad as 2015 again so soon. 

[ChicagoLion]

I was there the night he walked out of the tunnel at Villa Park.
It was emotional and we all hoped it was the beginning of something special and then the Magic of  Play off final only last year, which again I was lucky enough to witness.
It been a hell of a ride from the shambles of Xia, the failure of Bruce and to the hope of Smith.
Sadly he has not been able to come to terms with the Premier League and has lost his way.
It will be sad day if he leaves Villa Park having failed to survive his first season in this League.

[ChicagoLion]

How has it all come to this again in 10 months?! Never thought I’d be feeling as bad as 2015 again so soon.

The season has been defined by some significant and moral sapping defeats
The first game Spurs away, poor subs we play well and lose.
Arsenal away to lose that against 10 men whilst Smith stood passively on the side lines.
Liverpool 87minutes on the clock, again poor subs and game management we Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The awful performances against Saints at home to then actually play worse at Watford.
Then back to absolutely dire performances Bournemouth away Spurs again and then the shocker Saints away. Monday night was just another in a long line of insipid performances.
Yes we have lost other games but these stand out for me where Smith has failed to get anything out of the team or has not had the nous help the team get over the line.
These are the games that illustrate his failure imo.

[Kimaster1976]

Up to say late October we were generally actually playing very well and looked so dangerous, we should have had far more points than we had, even just before Christmas the half time table (if all games finished at half time) had us at 3rd in the league.

Its total mis management that games were constantly thrown away from winning positions and sadly when it keeps happening its going to have a long term effect on belief and confidence to eventually produce the dross we are seeing in performances the last couple of months.

The inexplicable persisting with zonal marking from corners is just one highlight of his failures.

He is just not or ever will be a Premier League manager.

[PaulWinch again]

We’re the worst of both worlds. We’re really open, so can’t defend, but equally we produce fuck all in attack.

[Big Ming]

Percy is not known for getting it wrong.

I expect a 2/3 goal defeat versus Chelsea and Smith out by Sunday. Of course, they might ask Terry to be caretaker for the rest of the season.

They wouldn't....... would they?

[brian green]

I agree with Chicago.  Fairy tales are not supposed to end like this.  It is made infinitely worse to take by not knowing how much was Dean's own fault.  There is a very real possibilty that if he is made to carry the can the real inadequacies at the club will still remain to greet Smith's replacement.  Poor coaching, lack of planning, lack of on field organization but most of all the elephant in the room will be the fathomless incompetence of targetted player evaluation.  Put crudely the dumping of flawed players on us by other clubs at astonomical prices.

[Mister E]

I feel for Smith I really do . He's in an awkward situation and he's an excellent coach 

... except that he has not managed to coach this squad of players. Every week, people on here have pointed out coaching inadequacies, tactical naiveties and poor game management. Your assertion that he is "an excellent coach" does not hold up to scrutiny.

but I feel the set-up does not serve him, but apparently actively seek to undermine him by having this Suso doing the
recruitment drive. JT was imposed upon him as a coach and then in summer he was having players like Wesley , Luiz and Targett imposed upon him.
...

This comment is full of assumptions, based on your earlier assertion about Smith being an ecellent coach.
Undoubtedly, the system - as a whole, and with the current personnel - has not worked for us, but to paint Smaith as a victim is presumptious and misleading.
In my opinion.

[PeterWithe]

I too hope he can turn it around but most of the deficiencies you point out there are either primarily, or partly, Dean’s responsibility.

[Big Ming]

I am starting to think that this season will probably end up being decided in the Law Courts and not on the pitch.

We may yet be saved.