Dean Smith - Confirmed

[SoccerHQ]

Likes of Kalvin Phillips and Maupay are better than what we've signed but I doubt they'd have lifted us much beyond 14th.

Was more disappointed last summer we didn't target any decent players from Italy, Spain or Germany. Generally when you're starting to build a decent premier league team those are the leagues you generally sign players from given the levels there are as high if not higher than the prem.

Would've thought Suso would've had a direct hotline to some out of favour Valencia squad players (Francis Coquelin, Kevin Gamiero etc) but there you go.

[Mister E]

The article linked to in this tweet is broadly on the money, in my arrogant opinion.
https://twitter.com/MatKendrick/status/1278672314075316224

Agreed.
But 8 points from the last four games?!

[Mister E]

... Watching last night it's clear you need an Antonio type in final third in games against top 6/7. He's not technically great but he'll run all day and be a nuisance to defences with his chasing which can win corners/FKs and chips in with goals.

Perhaps Davis will be like that in two years time if he can stay fit and have a good season next year.

Davis has, since the new mini-league started, been doing all that you say Antonio does, I think; other than posing no goal threat.

[PeterWithe]

The article linked to in this tweet is broadly on the money, in my arrogant opinion.
https://twitter.com/MatKendrick/status/1278672314075316224

Measured and not a lot to disagree with but we were led to beleive that we had management who would learn from the mistakes of other promoted clubs and we dont appear to have. The recruitment looked weak at the time and so its proved, the other thing that is yet to have an effect is the improvement in the youth system, it will be a while before we see the fruit of that.

[Sexual Ealing]

The article linked to in this tweet is broadly on the money, in my arrogant opinion.
https://twitter.com/MatKendrick/status/1278672314075316224

Measured and not a lot to disagree with but we were led to beleive that we had management who would learn from the mistakes of other promoted clubs and we dont appear to have. The recruitment looked weak at the time and so its proved, the other thing that is yet to have an effect is the improvement in the youth system, it will be a while before we see the fruit of that.

I think the key point is that we were hamstrung by the profligacy of the previous two or three years, leaving us with few options once we went up. Add to that that we made poor decisions when we did have a modicum of room for manoeuvre and we are where we are.

[hilts_coolerking]

The article rightly points out that there are numerous off field reasons why we are where we are but they weren't all insurmountable in my view.  That's the specific reason Purslow and Suso (among others) are in their jobs: to solve these problems.  Ultimately, though I don't think it's a question of scapegoating - there is no one person to blame, as the piece says.  There lots of people to blame, which is why I think there is going to be considerable upheaval once the season has finished.

[Luke8]

The article rightly points out that there are numerous off field reasons why we are where we are but they weren't all insurmountable in my view.  That's the specific reason Purslow and Suso (among others) are in their jobs: to solve these problems.  Ultimately, though I don't think it's a question of scapegoating - there is no one person to blame, as the piece says.  There lots of people to blame, which is why I think there is going to be considerable upheaval once the season has finished.

Considerable upheaval pretty significantly contributed to the position we were in in the summer.

[SoccerHQ]

Yes good article, who does the author write for as it's far above the usual Brum Mail standard!

I agree with him. Results and performances were o.k up to Leicester and Mings injury and we've looked pretty out of our depth at this level since bar a couple of good performances in January.

We certainly should've got 2-3 older heads on 1-2 year deals.

[hilts_coolerking]

Considerable upheaval pretty significantly contributed to the position we were in in the summer.

There's nothing wrong with major change if you get it right.  The trouble at the club this summer no-one at the club seemed capable of getting it right.  Whatever they thought were trying it manifestly didn't work.  Structure, recruitment, coaching, playing.

[ChicagoLion]

Nothing new in the article.

[Sexual Ealing]

Nothing new in the article.

It's not supposed to be news.

[ChicagoLion]

Nothing news in the article.

It's not supposed to be news.

My god really it wasn’t news, maybe you mis read

[Sexual Ealing]

Nothing news in the article.

It's not supposed to be news.

My god really it wasn’t news, maybe you mis read

Easy to misread randomly interrupted words.

[ChicagoLion]

Nothing news in the article.

It's not supposed to be news.

My god really it wasn’t news, maybe you mis read

Easy to misread randomly interrupted words.

Obviously

[N'ZMAV]

that article doesn't really point the finger at anyone - and we all like a bit of finger pointing.