Dean Smith - Confirmed

[exigo]

I don't mean this to sound as harsh as it might seem written down, but Hause getting injured might have saved our season. Mings and Konsa in the middle absolutely clicked, and having a right back at right back meant we looked better balanced – Elmo's combination of crosses, aerial dominance and positional sense gave us both defensive and attacking cover.

Don't get me wrong, what Smith did during lockdown, while his father was at his life's end, was incredible. To have the focus to work with individual players on video calls, giving guidance, support and leadership is a testament to the man's character and love for this club.

Every successful manager has had at least one stroke of luck along the way. I sincerely hope that Smith is pushing the upper reaches of the league and lifting trophies with us one day. If he is, we might have Hause's ribs to thank.

[Steve67]

I don't mean this to sound as harsh as it might seem written down, but Hause getting injured might have saved our season. Mings and Konsa in the middle absolutely clicked, and having a right back at right back meant we looked better balanced – Elmo's combination of crosses, aerial dominance and positional sense gave us both defensive and attacking cover.

Don't get me wrong, what Smith did during lockdown, while his father was at his life's end, was incredible. To have the focus to work with individual players on video calls, giving guidance, support and leadership is a testament to the man's character and love for this club.

Every successful manager has had at least one stroke of luck along the way. I sincerely hope that Smith is pushing the upper reaches of the league and lifting trophies with us one day. If he is, we might have Hause's ribs to thank.

Good post Exigo.  Elmo's injury too, allowing us the additional pace of Guilbert for the Arsenal game also helped too.  Him punching the air for winning a goal kick summed up that whole, determined performance for me.

[ASHTONVILLA]

If you're going to give Smith stick (which I have, lots) when things were going badly, then you have to hold your hands up and give him credit where it's due when he turns things round.  I was at the last game away at Leicester before lockdown, and it was dreadful.  We were outplayed and outthought, and it could and should have been a bigger battering than the 4-0 end scoreline.  And that game came after similarly piss poor displays at Southampton and Bournemouth. 

So I don't think it's much of a stretch to say that he was taking us down at that point with barely a whimper, and had there not been a shut down and he'd lost to Chelsea I do think there'd have been a parting of the ways.

The effort to keep us up was nothing short of superb though.  Far more organisation, belief and spirit, and he deserves the credit for that.  Now I'm at the point where I still wouldn't be averse to a big hitter like Pochettino coming in, but I'm also now interested to see what Smith can do in his second season.  There excuses that he had this season have mostly gone, and if they sort the recruitment side then there's no reason at all that we should struggle so badly again.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts too.

Have been firmly in the Smith out camp and for the second season in a row he has found some late form and proven me wrong. Could not be more happy to eat humble pie and happy for him.

I would still replace him if a Pochettino came available, but equally now think he has earned a chance to carry the improvement into next season.

I do worry about recruitment policy, and hope that not having to sign a whole team will allow the team to focus on better players from better leagues. Some of the players that struggled this year will look better next, and with some good signings that come into the first team they can improve as squad players.

Onwards and upwards.

[Ads]

Ketzster?

[mr underhill]

 you mean as in alka seltzer?

[Ads]

No as in the bloke who wanted Smith sacked the minute after we'd been promoted.

[Ketzster]

No as in the bloke who wanted Smith sacked the minute after we'd been promoted.

Ads I don’t know why you’re calling me out, I sent you a perfectly reasonable PM in February that you didn’t reply to.

I didn’t think Smith would keep us up, so he has surpassed my expectations. However, I still don’t think he is the right manager. We drew two and won two against four teams that were effectively on the beach. We saw how bad Everton were yesterday for example. He deserves a chance to go forwards, but we will see what happens in six weeks when all of the teams are up for it again. If after six games the same failings that were there before the Palace game return, I would hope a swift change would be made. Saying that, yes he did exceptionally well after the Man United game to turn it around

[LeeB]

Have you sent Purslow a PM outlining this too?

[Clampy]

you mean as in alka seltzer?

My favourite Beatles song you know.

[Sexual Ealing]

If Reina had been either a) a bit taller or b) capable of reacting faster than a rocking horse, we’d have won all four of the final games.

[hilts_coolerking]

No as in the bloke who wanted Smith sacked the minute after we'd been promoted.

Ads I don’t know why you’re calling me out, I sent you a perfectly reasonable PM in February that you didn’t reply to.

I didn’t think Smith would keep us up, so he has surpassed my expectations. However, I still don’t think he is the right manager. We drew two and won two against four teams that were effectively on the beach. We saw how bad Everton were yesterday for example. He deserves a chance to go forwards, but we will see what happens in six weeks when all of the teams are up for it again. If after six games the same failings that were there before the Palace game return, I would hope a swift change would be made. Saying that, yes he did exceptionally well after the Man United game to turn it around

I don't see much in that to take issue with really.

[SamTheMouse]

I think a lot of people tend to forget that this was Smith's first season managing in the top division, and it was always going to be a learning curve for him. He's no fool and I think he'll have taken on board plenty. The improved defensive stats bear that out.

If we sign two or three players of genuine quality, especially in wide positions and up front, I'm really hopeful he can achieve good things next year. Remember, Dyche got relegated with Burnley the first time around, and only stabilised them in the Premier League at the second time of asking. Dean has already bettered that.

He's one of us and I'm still rooting for him to do the business. The start of the new campaign can't come quick enough!

[supertom]

If Reina had been either a) a bit taller or b) capable of reacting faster than a rocking horse, we’d have won all four of the final games.

Probably, but also in fairness to Reina I think he was very good on the whole when he came back in, above all giving us a steady presence and experience that was invaluable. And I say that as someone who thought he looked largely shite prior to the lockdown. I don't think his impact on our final four games can be underestimated. I'd wanted Nyland to get his chance previously, and felt Reina had been pish, but post lock down it was increasingly clear that Nyland didn't have a strong enough mentality for a run of games. Had we stuck with him, we'd be down.

[Lastfootstamper]

If Reina had been either a) a bit taller or b) capable of reacting faster than a rocking horse, we’d have won all four of the final games.

To nil, to boot.

[hilts_coolerking]

If Reina had been either a) a bit taller or b) capable of reacting faster than a rocking horse, we’d have won all four of the final games.

To nil, to boot.

We seem to be taking great pride in something that didn't happen.