Dean Smith - Confirmed

[LukeJames]

This break from it all has made me remember how fucking bad I want this one to succeed.

[exiled on the wirral!]

This thread especially over the last few pages epitomises what is wrong with the modern game..Saunders and Taylor struggled the year after promotion. How about at least give the guy the season to see he can emulate those greats before we try and coax Klopp from his current employer...FFS

[ChicagoLion]

We had lost 4 in a row with a couple of abject performances thrown in.

[exiled on the wirral!]

And lost narrowingly in a cup final against one of the top teams in Europe..

[ChicagoLion]

And lost narrowingly in a cup final against one of the top teams in Europe..

That makes it 5.

[tony scott]

The dilemma I desperate for him to succeed, I’m desperate for us to stay in this division.

[Lastfootstamper]

Nobody is more desperate for his success than me. At Easter last year, I expressed my pride at how he had instilled a love back amongst us that we were once again proud to share with the world. On that same holiday, there was pottery painting, "for the kids". My mug...

[Steve67]

This thread especially over the last few pages epitomises what is wrong with the modern game..Saunders and Taylor struggled the year after promotion. How about at least give the guy the season to see he can emulate those greats before we try and coax Klopp from his current employer...FFS

Different era my friend and they didn't spend crazy money on new players when they came up.  I see nothing in Dean to show me that he can get the players pulling for him.  I think he lacks grip and failed to address the defensive midfield problems and defending.  I'd give him to the end of the season, stay up, or go down and he leaves.  If the comments from Wes Edens recently at the be believed, he will want bigger and better than Dean.  IMO, of course.

[dave.woodhall]

This thread especially over the last few pages epitomises what is wrong with the modern game..Saunders and Taylor struggled the year after promotion. How about at least give the guy the season to see he can emulate those greats before we try and coax Klopp from his current employer...FFS

Different era my friend and they didn't spend crazy money on new players when they came up.  I see nothing in Dean to show me that he can get the players pulling for him.  I think he lacks grip and failed to address the defensive midfield problems and defending.  I'd give him to the end of the season, stay up, or go down and he leaves.  If the comments from Wes Edens recently at the be believed, he will want bigger and better than Dean.  IMO, of course.

Ron Saunders broke our transfer record twice during his first season up.

[Steve67]

This thread especially over the last few pages epitomises what is wrong with the modern game..Saunders and Taylor struggled the year after promotion. How about at least give the guy the season to see he can emulate those greats before we try and coax Klopp from his current employer...FFS

Different era my friend and they didn't spend crazy money on new players when they came up.  I see nothing in Dean to show me that he can get the players pulling for him.  I think he lacks grip and failed to address the defensive midfield problems and defending.  I'd give him to the end of the season, stay up, or go down and he leaves.  If the comments from Wes Edens recently at the be believed, he will want bigger and better than Dean.  IMO, of course.

Ron Saunders broke our transfer record twice during his first season up.

Yeah, but it's not quite the same is it? The money in the game now, to then, is beyond comparison. 

Saunders wasn't bothered about upsetting players and got them all giving 100% every game.  I think Dean has also struggled to do that as well.

[dave.woodhall]

This thread especially over the last few pages epitomises what is wrong with the modern game..Saunders and Taylor struggled the year after promotion. How about at least give the guy the season to see he can emulate those greats before we try and coax Klopp from his current employer...FFS

Different era my friend and they didn't spend crazy money on new players when they came up.  I see nothing in Dean to show me that he can get the players pulling for him.  I think he lacks grip and failed to address the defensive midfield problems and defending.  I'd give him to the end of the season, stay up, or go down and he leaves.  If the comments from Wes Edens recently at the be believed, he will want bigger and better than Dean.  IMO, of course.

Ron Saunders broke our transfer record twice during his first season up.

Yeah, but it's not quite the same is it? The money in the game now, to then, is beyond comparison. 

Saunders wasn't bothered about upsetting players and got them all giving 100% every game.  I think Dean has also struggled to do that as well.

It's exactly the same. Big money for the time is big money regardless of how many noughts it has at the end.

[Steve67]

Are you saying Dean is as good a Manager as Saunders Dave? 

[dave.woodhall]

Are you saying Dean is as good a Manager as Saunders Dave? 

Did I say anything alluding to that?

[Steve67]

Are you saying Dean is as good a Manager as Saunders Dave? 

Did I say anything alluding to that?

Nope, it was a question.  I wish we had Saunders now.  Villa is ripe for the right type of Manager, with these owners. 

[dave.woodhall]

Of course Dean Smith isn't as good as Saunders. That would be like comparing Jack Grealish to Gordon Cowans. I'm not sure whether Saunders' style would be as effective now, but I'd love to see how Ron Atkinson would spend NSWE's money.