Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Ads]

Why are we comparing ourselves to Leeds? They're doing well, relatively, for the first time in nearly 20 years. Once Bielsa goes they'll be back in the second division, jeez

If the point is being made that in our second season up we should be doing better then comparing to a Leeds side that has spent a lot less and are up in their first season isn’t out of context. Normally they slow down in the second half of the season but if you look at their results, not just today they are every bit as consistent and arguably more resilient now than at the start. Based on form they will finish top 10 comfortably.

Who cares about Leeds? Good luck to them. We're above sides who been in the league for years. So what? We're having a good season, making good progress. We're deficient up front, as SHQ identifies. The defence/attack balance is dramatic.

Without Jack and Olie, what else is there you can rely upon consistently? That's where we improve. If Leeds ceiling over the next 5 years matches our then absolutely fair play, great for sport that they can compete with financial dopers like us. If not, oh well, we won't care.

[SaddVillan]

Just getting ready to head off down to join the mob on Trinity Road with my pikestaff calling for Smith's head.

But stopped to consider this:

2018 - appointed manager
2019 - play off promotion winners
2020 - keeps us in the Prem/League Cup runners up
2021 - solid mid table position.

Then I asked myself - how many of today's Villa starting squad would make the Liverpool squad and vice versa?

Decided to put the pikestaff back in the shed.

We clearly don't have sufficient in tems of individual quality or strength in depth.

Smith could be doing better, but given what he has to work with, I'm not going to complain too much.

[Axl Rose]

Keep it civil please.

Quite right Legion and that includes someone that does his utmost to antagonize other posters at every opportunity
And as for Smith and a change of tactics ........What tactics?

He'll never win. He isn't clever enough.

Clive, how are doing mate? It's been a while!

[Rudy65]

Would you really change the formation and tactics just to accommodate Keinan Davis?

Yes I would for two reasons. 1. While Jack is out play a different way. 2. Davis should be given a run of games till the end of the season to see what he can do and if that proves he's not ready then loan him out to a good Championship club next season.

I agree that we should maybe try to see what he can do, but I don't think today was the right time. And I can just imagine the reaction if his inherent Keinan Davisness had been evident for too long.

So what are you waiting for? Today we were playing a team who had lost the last 6 at home, lost in the week and are under pressure from their fans and media etc. Their 2 CH’s are awful and confidence on the floor. I think today was a perfect opportunity.

[SoccerHQ]

Why are we comparing ourselves to Leeds? They're doing well, relatively, for the first time in nearly 20 years. Once Bielsa goes they'll be back in the second division, jeez

If the point is being made that in our second season up we should be doing better then comparing to a Leeds side that has spent a lot less and are up in their first season isn’t out of context. Normally they slow down in the second half of the season but if you look at their results, not just today they are every bit as consistent and arguably more resilient now than at the start. Based on form they will finish top 10 comfortably.

Yeah there's nothing wrong with wanting to do a little better sometimes.

In last 3-4 years Wolves, Burnley, Sheffield United, Newcastle and now potentially Leeds have all been newly promoted and finished between 7th-10th in the league a year or so after coming up so it's not some impossible feat.

It's o.k to want to finish higher than 11th. Seems I'm saying it every other post but we have one of the best defences in the league after all. Reminds me of what john e says on here, seems there's still a mentality around of grateful just not to be in relegation battles every year, there's nothing wrong with wanting a little bit more from seasons sometimes particularly as we were in a very good position at the start of Feb and it's just fizzled out.

[Ads]

Keep it civil please.

Quite right Legion and that includes someone that does his utmost to antagonize other posters at every opportunity
And as for Smith and a change of tactics ........What tactics?

He'll never win. He isn't clever enough.

Clive, how are doing mate? It's been a while!

Clever enough to be living rent free.

[Sexual Ealing]

Just getting ready to head off down to join the mob on Trinity Road with my pikestaff calling for Smith's head.

But stopped to consider this:

2018 - appointed manager
2019 - play off promotion winners
2020 - keeps us in the Prem/League Cup runners up
2021 - solid mid table position.

Then I asked myself - how many of today's Villa starting squad would make the Liverpool squad and vice versa?

Decided to put the pikestaff back in the shed.

We clearly don't have sufficient in tems of individual quality or strength in depth.

Smith could be doing better, but given what he has to work with, I'm not going to complain too much.

I agree with SaddVillan.

[Uknowthescore]

He’s spent nearly 200 million in 2 years and we still look like relegation fodder without grealish.

[Stu]

Lads, it's Leeds. We'll be here long after they've fucked off again.

[Rudy65]

He’s spent nearly 200 million in 2 years and we still look like relegation fodder without grealish.

He won’t be trusted with another £200m

[Nunkin1965]

Just getting ready to head off down to join the mob on Trinity Road with my pikestaff calling for Smith's head.

But stopped to consider this:

2018 - appointed manager
2019 - play off promotion winners
2020 - keeps us in the Prem/League Cup runners up
2021 - solid mid table position.

Then I asked myself - how many of today's Villa starting squad would make the Liverpool squad and vice versa?

Decided to put the pikestaff back in the shed.

We clearly don't have sufficient in tems of individual quality or strength in depth.

Smith could be doing better, but given what he has to work with, I'm not going to complain too much.

I agree with SaddVillan.

Yep me too.
My pitchfork is staying in the shed and the paraffin to light my torch is staying in its appropriate storage thingy.

[Drummond]

Jesus wept.

[Axl Rose]

Keep it civil please.

Quite right Legion and that includes someone that does his utmost to antagonize other posters at every opportunity
And as for Smith and a change of tactics ........What tactics?

He'll never win. He isn't clever enough.

Clive, how are doing mate? It's been a while!

Clever enough to be living rent free.

Oh dear.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Then I asked myself - how many of today's Villa starting squad would make the Liverpool squad and vice versa?

Decided to put the pikestaff back in the shed.

We clearly don't have sufficient in tems of individual quality or strength in depth.

Smith could be doing better, but given what he has to work with, I'm not going to complain too much.

How many of the Brighton, Burnley or Fulham players would get in their squad? Compared to those 3 Dean is blessed with his squad. What he needs to do is mix it up when things aren't going right but he has a record at least as far back as his Brentford days of going on long, poor runs due to being tactically inflexible.

That said, I love everything about him except the football this year. It really is turning out to be a season of two halves. If we want to be pushing up in the top half of the table next season he's got to add a few more strings to his bow. He's surrounded himself with experience and knowledge, I just hope he doesn't blow the opportunity by what I can only see as stubbornness.

[Clampy]

I think if the season finished now, I'd sit back and say it could have been a whole lot better but overall, we've made some steady progress, there's been plenty of positives and there are things we can take into next season. We'll need to step up though and I think everyone realises that.