Dean Smith - Confirmed

[algy]

To be fair to Dean he has tried to do something about our over reliance on Jack, he got the coup of the Barkley loan, one we were all pretty much happy with, it hasn’t worked out

That's the thing for me, it's clear Dean understood the need for another creative outlet alongside Grealish, and for the first few games in Ross Barkley it looked like he'd found the answer. I also think it's a bit harsh saying we're over-reliance on Grealish. As others have said, he'd be the main man for pretty much any club in the world.

Personally I think we're a bit low on confidence at the moment, and the way Dean's sides set up it's quite reliant on the players in it having bags of self-belief and a good work ethic. Which is perhaps why his teams are a bit streaky.

I just look at it that we're improving season on season, and it's not worth getting worked up about good & bad runs of form because that's kind of what I expect to happen with his sides. I'm fine with the streaky nature because I think, as the squad strengthens, the highs will be higher and the lows won't be as deep.

[Allan C]

The bigger question is how Dean moves us forward. There are two scenarios for next season - #1 with Jack #2 no Jack.
If Jack is here next season Dean has to build the team around him.

Only looking at #1 here...
4231 = Jack as the 10, but we need 1 quality holding midfielder to play alongside SJM, Dougie or Sanson. 

We need at least two forwards then - Bert quality or better replacing Davis, AEG and Trez.

4 players £100m.

Option #2 doesn't bare thinking about and will result in +£200m spending and comes with all sorts fo risks for any manager.

I think that is the plan sold to Grealish. A team built around him that will eventually be challenging for the highest prizes in the game. This far, that is exactly what is happening. It wasn’t going to overnight, rather two seasons I would bet at the least. We are improving but still several players short (including squad players). Smith so far as proven up to the job

[Lastfootstamper]

I just look at it that we're improving season on season, and it's not worth getting worked up about good & bad runs of form because that's kind of what I expect to happen with his sides. I'm fine with the streaky nature because I think, as the squad strengthens, the highs will be higher and the lows won't be as deep.

I am finding it easier to live with the 'lows' being conceding a shit late equaliser and yet still being able to look at the top half of the table to find our name, rather than getting tonked by 4 yet again.

[RamboandBruno]

Also, despite going through our worst run of the season for the last 6-7 weeks, we are 5 points behind 6th placed Everton with a game in hand and we have to play them twice, not disastrous by end stretch of the imagination. Hopefully having Grealish and Cash back will feel like new signings relatively and we can end the season well.

[Neil Hawkes]

Also, despite going through our worst run of the season for the last 6-7 weeks, we are 5 points behind 6th placed Everton with a game in hand and we have to play them twice, not disastrous by end stretch of the imagination. Hopefully having Grealish and Cash back will feel like new signings relatively and we can end the season well.

Agree with this and I believe Matty Cash is just as important to the first team as Jack. I think we would have twice as many points if he had been playing in these games. This would also be the case if we lost Targett, Mings or (heaven forbid) Konsa for any length of time.

[ChicagoLion]

What are we aiming for next year? More consolidation or winning stuff?  If the latter we need to bring in 3 or 4 players who would improve any top 6 teams first 11.  With that kind of squad, any decent manager (Smith included) would have a great chance to make some history of the positive kind!!

If we’re not ‘going for it’ now, then when?

More consolidation. Top half with an eye on an outside chance of Europe somehow and gaps in the squad being filled. Our best players being given contract extensions where needed.

You think Jack  Konsa Mings are hanging around for that?
If Jack goes then we will struggle to keep the best of this team together, lots of money coming in but at best mid table mediocrity for ever.
I think next season is make or break, as Riigadon says if not now when.

[Ads]

I think next season we aim to have a more consistent crack st the top 6.

2 quality players in attack to complement and excellent defence. Sanson nice and settled and we aim for more consistency.

Oh and win the FA Cup.

[Mister E]

To be fair to Dean he has tried to do something about our over reliance on Jack, he got the coup of the Barkley loan, one we were all pretty much happy with, it hasn’t worked out

That's the thing for me, it's clear Dean understood the need for another creative outlet alongside Grealish, and for the first few games in Ross Barkley it looked like he'd found the answer. I also think it's a bit harsh saying we're over-reliance on Grealish. As others have said, he'd be the main man for pretty much any club in the world.

Personally I think we're a bit low on confidence at the moment, and the way Dean's sides set up it's quite reliant on the players in it having bags of self-belief and a good work ethic. Which is perhaps why his teams are a bit streaky.

I just look at it that we're improving season on season, and it's not worth getting worked up about good & bad runs of form because that's kind of what I expect to happen with his sides. I'm fine with the streaky nature because I think, as the squad strengthens, the highs will be higher and the lows won't be as deep.

Good summary.
At the moment, in addition to missing JG, we have tiredness in the squad (partly, perhaps, because Smith does not trust that his extended squad can cover for his first choice 11; partly, perhaps, the ongoing impact of the CV-19 weeks). We also have individual decision-making (Friday night saw Watkins and AEG trying to run the ball out of defence in the final 5 minutes, rather than hoofing it into the far corners). And, we have players perhaps being played out of position  - McGinn, Luiz perhaps.
We're a team in transition.
This summer is massive - both in terms of incomings and in terms of improving the players we have.

[mr underhill]

just as importantly we have to have the courage to try and move a few on. Niether AEG or Trez arew good enough really. Traore is worth another season or two and has hasd a much morepositive effect on us than Benrahma has at West Ham for similar money.

[Steve67]

We have to address the poor physicality in the centre of the park if Grealish is to play the number 10 role.  Even with Jack playing left forward, we have to address the fact that we are vulnerable in the middle of the park, fortunately we have a quality defence who bail us out a lot.  People may say that it didn't seem to matter too much when we were brilliant at the beginning of the season but over the whole course of the season teams get to grips with our way of playing.  We concede too many shots at our own goals.  Douglas just isn't that man. I also think this is one of the reasons Barkley hasn't worked out as he's only ever any good we were are on the front foot.  He's completely anonymous otherwise.  If Brighton go down, I'd like to get Bissouma. 

[ROBBO]

Agree about the midfield, a weakened Newcastle bossed us at times, Jack will be asking about incomings you can bet on it.

[TheTimVilla]

Dean has created a great nucleus, but he seems to make the same mistakes every week. Does he know he can make a double sub in one go? Why wait 10 minutes to see if the first midfielder swap has changed anything (invariably not) before he makes his second? Also, we are so predictable. It would be great if he could try some different systems. We won't get relegated and almost certainly won't qualify for Europe so he should remove the following from the matchday squad - Elmo, Engels, Taylor, Davis, Trez, AEG, etc. He's already started, with Lansbury, Conor, etc so it would be great to give some time to the U23s. When Wesley is fit, try Watkins cutting in from the left, give Grealish a free role, perm any 2 from Luiz, Nakamba, SJM, Ramsey in defensive midfield, etc. Find a role for Sanson. Maybe identify a corner taker. In the last couple of months, we have generally been outplayed by inferior teams. What bugs me is that Smith doesn't seem to have the capacity to adapt to this during games. Yet I vividly recall Brentford turning us over 3-0 at their place due to his ability to change tactics on the hoof. Each window, we have signed a better standard of player and I am sure we will see the same in the summer. Next season could be great but we need to start preparing for it now.

[Drummond]

For those calling for his head

Pssst. Nobody is.

There are a number who seem to be questioning whether Smith is the right man for the job though. And others suggesting he's inept and out of his depth.

We're 9th. Ahead of Arsenal, 2 points and a game on hand behind last season's runaway champions and 4 points and a game in hand behind Spuds.

It's massive progress in such a short space of time. Smith is the best opportunity and breath of fresh air this club has had in decades. He'll get things wrong, and the players will too, they know when it's not good enough and are honest about it. They learn too.

Every big name manager started somewhere. Why not grow our own?

[LeeB]

For those calling for his head

Pssst. Nobody is.

There are a number who seem to be questioning whether Smith is the right man for the job though. And others suggesting he's inept and out of his depth.

We're 9th. Ahead of Arsenal, 2 points and a game on hand behind last season's runaway champions and 4 points and a game in hand behind Spuds.

It's massive progress in such a short space of time. Smith is the best opportunity and breath of fresh air this club has had in decades. He'll get things wrong, and the players will too, they know when it's not good enough and are honest about it. They learn too.

Every big name manager started somewhere. Why not grow our own?

No, the way forward is to change manager at the first hint of trouble, or when he does/doesn't make the sub I think he should.

[Duncan Shaw]

For those calling for his head

Pssst. Nobody is.

There are a number who seem to be questioning whether Smith is the right man for the job though. And others suggesting he's inept and out of his depth.

We're 9th. Ahead of Arsenal, 2 points and a game on hand behind last season's runaway champions and 4 points and a game in hand behind Spuds.

It's massive progress in such a short space of time. Smith is the best opportunity and breath of fresh air this club has had in decades. He'll get things wrong, and the players will too, they know when it's not good enough and are honest about it. They learn too.

Every big name manager started somewhere. Why not grow our own?

Clapping hands Emoji..........