Dean Smith - Confirmed

[paul_e]

Out of interest what do you think we could get Abraham?  Is he a £45m player?

I doubt the fee would be far away from that, possibly even higher

[Nii Lamptey]

Smith could have saved his job last night - Confident game management throughout, that hopefully continues into Sunday.

I've been firmly in the Smith Out camp since Christmas. All I want is to see Villa succeed, and if that is with a new revitalised Dean Smith, then I'm all for it.

Anyone else think both he and the coaching staff seemed much more animated/engaged with the players last night than usual, especially during the drinks breaks. The players seemed to be a lot more connected, listening/taking advice from Dean and co.

He's been lucky with the starting eleven, as injuries seem to have forced his hand into a winning formula, but sometimes you need that bit of luck (*Steve Bruce quote!)

We saw a glimmer of what we were hoping to get with Dean Smith last night. He's set the bar now, and long may it continue.

UTV

[Ger Regan]

I've been as critical of smith as anyone, and if we stop up I think he's done enough to be given a crack next season. Yesterday was really the first time that i've seen him proactively change things mid-game, it's been something i've been concerned about wtih him for a long time (even the playoff final he left it very late in making any changes and it put us under unnecessary pressure). If he can show that he's learned and is adapting then i'm happy for him to stay on.

[Ian.]

I wonder if he's concerned that the players available on the bench are not as good as what is out on the field, hence being reluctant to make changes unless forced.

[Ger Regan]

I wonder if he's concerned that the players available on the bench are not as good as what is out on the field, hence being reluctant to make changes unless forced.

This has been an issue since he joined, not just since the restart. It's not a particular strong excuse for me.

[Ian.]

I wonder if he's concerned that the players available on the bench are not as good as what is out on the field, hence being reluctant to make changes unless forced.

This has been an issue since he joined, not just since the restart. It's not a particular strong excuse for me.

I agree, I'm not making excuses for him, but wondering why he's so reluctant to do so. It's always a like for like change too, more down to fatigue than tactical. It is the most frustrating thing about him.

[ChicagoLion]

He got it spot on last night, Arse were getting at us wide so he moved  to 4 across the middle.
The subs worked and we got forward and kept them honest.
Well done DS.

[Risso]

He got a bit of luck last night, which you could argue he's been due.  If the one that bounced off the post and into Reina's arms creeps in, then we'd be as good as down.  As it is, our fate is mostly in our own hands, short of Watford bettering any win we might manage.

[Drummond]

He got a bit of luck last night, which you could argue he's been due.  If the one that bounced off the post and into Reina's arms creeps in, then we'd be as good as down.  As it is, our fate is mostly in our own hands, short of Watford bettering any win we might manage.

That wasn't luck. It was a misplaced header from their player, if he'd managed to get it on target it may have been a goal.

Similarly, Davis' miss for us.

I can sense you're pleased we won but disappointed at the ramifications of Smith staying.

[AV82EC]

I was 50/50 on Smith up until the United game when I thought he’d utterly lost it and needed to be replaced. Huge thanks to him for what he’s achieved in the last few games to get us where we are but I’m still falling on the side of upgrading if that’s possible and we stay up. If we stay up and we couldn’t upgrade then he would stay. If we go down then he should go.

[KevinGage]

Out of interest what do you think we could get Abraham?  Is he a £45m player?

In the current market Wesley and Dominic Solanke are £20 million+ forwards, so aye.

If we offered £30 million plus up top with more on staying up/ appearances and a decent sell on percentage they might go for it.

[Lastfootstamper]

We looked dead and gone in that second half against manure. He's done very well to instill belief back in the players after that.

[exiled on the wirral!]

He got a bit of luck last night, which you could argue he's been due.  If the one that bounced off the post and into Reina's arms creeps in, then we'd be as good as down.  As it is, our fate is mostly in our own hands, short of Watford bettering any win we might manage.

That wasn't luck. It was a misplaced header from their player, if he'd managed to get it on target it may have been a goal.

Similarly, Davis' miss for us.

I can sense you're pleased we won but disappointed at the ramifications of Smith staying.

Agree totally with this. A lot of faint praise through gritted teeth today. At least everyone is happy for the time being.

[Three Spires Villa]

More than happy to be proved wrong and eat “humble pie” hopefully second helpings for me on Sunday, no gritted teeth. Who cares what I think, if Dean or any manager is successful, Villa are successful, that’s all that counts.

[AsTallAsLions]

More than happy to be proved wrong and eat “humble pie” hopefully second helpings for me on Sunday, no gritted teeth. Who cares what I think, if Dean or any manager is successful, Villa are successful, that’s all that counts.

Indeed, and likewise