Dean Smith - Confirmed

[tomd2103]

If we stay up and if a manager, such as Sean Dyche cane and we finished 14-10th for two seasons, and then a bigger “name” was employed, and we then pushed on, what’s the issue with that. Of course it is all hypothetical

If we do somehow manage to stay up, then I think he will have just about deserved the chance to improve on things next season, although it would be a very short window of opportunity I would think. 

The thought of relegation and the total rebuild that would be required is just a horrible thought really, so I've not even been able to contemplate what would happen in that eventuality,

That’s fair enough, tbh my post was / is about people being against a Sean Dyche type of appointment. As I have said I don’t understand that opinion, but it’s an opinion and fine. I don’t see how we attract a big named manager who plays amazing football, where we are and the FFP that could stop some players coming. I think we need to build from a strong base of experience and that could be Sean. Of course my argument has problems because Bruce should have been that. For what it’s worth I think that Dean should go if we stop up or go down. The whole thing with inexperienced manager, players and coaches has been a problem.

Agree with that.  During our recent years in the top flight, we have desperately needed someone to come in for a couple of seasons and steady things.  Many people turn their noses up at the likes of Allardyce, but I can't imagine the football would be worse than some of the absolute dross we have seen served up over the past decade.

I also agree with your comment that Steve Bruce should have been that, but he has a way of playing which might be understandable when matched against top outfits in the Premier League, but not so understandable at home to Rotherham in the Championship.

[ChicagoLion]

It’s that stability word again, which sounds like unambitious.
Planning to be mediocre is a sure route to failure, there is no steady the ship because all managers bring their own ideas, baggage and payload with them.
I want someone to come in and excite the supporters, attract and retain the  best players and have a go at winning things.

[algy]

I'm still in the Smith In camp. People keep saying he's not learning, then in the same breath berate how the one gung ho football has turned in to a more reserved, defensive style. He's clearly been trying things out (eg 3 at the back in January) - maybe they've not always worked, but he was quick to ditch them when it didn't.

Whilst the absolute amount is huge, the squad has been put together on a shoestring by Premier League standards (average <10m/player). That, done at short notice, from a squad who 18 months ago were an aging, mid-table Championship side. We've had (or got) 3 big players out for long spells through injuries - Big Wes, Heaton, SJM. A large section of the squad had never played together less than 12 months ago.

Yet we're still only in the relegation zone by goal difference.

[ChicagoLion]

Algy, understand that.
Do you honestly believe that someone can be successful in the PL if they are useless at game management?

[brian green]

I admire your loyalty algy but two words of your apologia for him leap out at me, those words are "not always" worked out. 

[Mister E]

He's done a good job for them but I'd like to see us break the habit of a lifetime and make a real go of appointing someone of real pedigree, someone to make us think 'Wow they really do mean business.'

Because at the moment that “wow” manager probably wouldn’t come to us.

Depends where we are in a month. If we stay in the premier league then we're still an attractive prospect given what we spent last summer and we get 40k through the gates.

As said Bielsa went to Leeds when they were mid table in the championship.

Nuno went to Wolves in a similar position.

Benitez went to Newcastle when they were about to get relegated but liked what he saw and stayed on.

Ancelotti went to Everton when they were barely above the relegation zone (think we might've been above them at the time).

Our next appointment after DS (whenever that is) is when we'll see the mettle of these owners I think and whether they have a more ambitious mindset than what Lerner and Xia had with their managerial appointments.

Plenty of good managers out of work who've managed in champions league and won trophies in last 3-4 seasons.

This is the example that best emulates where we are and need to be. Everton saw that continually appointing 'okay' managers was getting them nowhere in a continuous cycle of moving up and down the mediocrity zone of the top flight.
The manager is the most important appointment the club can make: why bring in an 'okay' manager when you're trying to compete for honours and a place in European competitions.


So, the question arises: what is this club's ambitions and do we have the manager to deliver them?

[jeowje]

He’s had his time, some of it this season has been atrocious. For me it’s not just about game management even, he just doesn't seem to be able to inspire the players to perform to their (albeit limited) potential. But I suppose his stubbornness on formation, Wesley’s perpetual inclusion til injury also despite him being absolute shite, also stick in the craw. I’d be very concerned about him remaining next season, even if we survive to be honest. Just my own feeling.

[curiousorange]

Obviously I'd rather be in Burnley's position than ours (in the league, that is), but I can't help but feel if we had Dyche we'd be the Albion. Having a load of six foot four English cloggers isn't much of a step up in my eyes even if it does get you stability.

[RamboandBruno]

I'm still in the Smith In camp. People keep saying he's not learning, then in the same breath berate how the one gung ho football has turned in to a more reserved, defensive style. He's clearly been trying things out (eg 3 at the back in January) - maybe they've not always worked, but he was quick to ditch them when it didn't.

Whilst the absolute amount is huge, the squad has been put together on a shoestring by Premier League standards (average <10m/player). That, done at short notice, from a squad who 18 months ago were an aging, mid-table Championship side. We've had (or got) 3 big players out for long spells through injuries - Big Wes, Heaton, SJM. A large section of the squad had never played together less than 12 months ago.

Yet we're still only in the relegation zone by goal difference.

Ive supported Smith all the way through, as I do think he did really well last season, despite an awful patch post Xmas and I do think he’s had a few cards stacked against him this season. New inexperienced squad, some poor purchases in hindsight, who probably don’t have the potential to get much better (Trez, Targett, possibly Nakamba).

However, in the few games before lockdown in particular Southampton away, Leicester away, he looked to me like he’d completely lost his way. That seemed the same against Chelsea post lockdown. There were signs in the last part against Newcastle that he may have a found a way to compete for the last few games (2 up top), but it’ll be interesting to see if he’s brave enough to go with that. Anyway I’m probably coming round to thinking if we go down we need him, Terry, Suso to go but even if we stay up maybe that should be his swan song. He got us up and kept us up, so he goes out on a relative high with our thanks, no bitterness and memories of some good times under his tenure.

I think terry needs to go, his half hearted clap for our goal against his beloved Chelsea said everything of where he really wants to be. I think some of the signings will come good, Luiz, possibly Engels, possibly even Wes  with a more experienced striker with him, but on the whole Susos had a shocker and should go.

[brian green]

Sorry to continue to nit pick but "possibly even Wes"? The most expensive player we have ever signed?

[LeeB]

Sorry to continue to nit pick but "possibly even Wes"? The most expensive player we have ever signed?

The fact that Wesley is our Record signing and the biggest outlay we made this summer kind of underlines the problem both the club and the manager faced putting a side together like they had to.

Two of our more established rivals, West Ham and Newcastle, each paid twice as much for their strikers that have both stunk the place out.

[Drummond]

I hope that the next time a manager leaves us, it's to go and manage the likes of Madrid, Bayern or England.

[Billy Walker]

I'm still in the Smith In camp. People keep saying he's not learning, then in the same breath berate how the one gung ho football has turned in to a more reserved, defensive style. He's clearly been trying things out (eg 3 at the back in January) - maybe they've not always worked, but he was quick to ditch them when it didn't.

Whilst the absolute amount is huge, the squad has been put together on a shoestring by Premier League standards (average <10m/player). That, done at short notice, from a squad who 18 months ago were an aging, mid-table Championship side. We've had (or got) 3 big players out for long spells through injuries - Big Wes, Heaton, SJM. A large section of the squad had never played together less than 12 months ago.

Yet we're still only in the relegation zone by goal difference.

It's all fine margins.  For me, if Deano manages to keep us up it will be an incredible achievement, especially when one considers the context and realties behind our transfer activity last summer.  If we manage to stay up, I'd be fully behind him to oversee the next stage of our rebuild as stability and a sense of a long-term strategy and vision are hugely important.  If we go down, I'm torn.  Maybe then we would need a rethink and an injection of new energy and ideas?

[dave.woodhall]

if he keeps us up he'll have succeeded in both of his seasons, with a cup final thrown in as a bonus. 

[Lastfootstamper]

And Grealish is still here.