Dean Smith - Confirmed

[BC Villain]

It does feel like some people have the perception that our owners - being as rich as they are - are demanding to see Chelsea and Man City style turnarounds from the club we were three years ago.  I don't think they are, just progress towards that level.

What people forget is that both Man City and Chelsea got to do their first few years of that transformation without any financial fair play restrictions.  Man City were spending about £150m a year on players for three years before the FFP regulations came in (for comparison our entire turnover was about £80m in those days).  In City's first 12 months, they bought five players over £25m - and that's at the prices paid 12 years ago. That's a level of spending we're trying to achieve today, over a decade later.  And it STILL took City three years to go from mid-table to winning a title.

The point I'm making is that I have no doubt whatsoever that our owners are ambitious, but I am also very confident that they appreciate the environment we're now competing in, and that throwing a couple of hundred million at a team does not guarantee you instant success. But it should guarantee you progress.

I think they'll be disappointed the way the season has petered out after such a bright start (as we all are), but I also think they'll chalk the season up as 'progress' before demanding similar improvement again next season.

I'm not so sure.  Both are very wealthy men who have not been successful without some ruthlessness along the way.  They will want to see a return on their heavy investment soon

[sickbeggar]

I do hope this envisaged summer investment materialises because if Dean only buys 2 or 3 players then a few expectations will have to revised downwards.

Not if those three players are Kane, Son and Mbappé.

heh. They would cost 100m in wages alone let alone the transfer fees.

[Monty]

I do hope this envisaged summer investment materialises because if Dean only buys 2 or 3 players then a few expectations will have to revised downwards.

Not if those three players are Kane, Son and Mbappé.

heh. They would cost 100m in wages alone let alone the transfer fees.

But if our SO-CALLED billionaire owners are SERIOUS they'll put their MONEY where their MOUTHS are.

[sickbeggar]

Aye. it's Doug all over again. Cornershop mentality.

[edgysatsuma89]

I can understand all the debate on both sides on how worried or not we should be about our form in the last 20 or so games. My problem however is his complete tactical inflexibility. I really don't see any B when A isn't working and that's my big issue with him and I don't think it shines him in the greatest light. That's my worry and if better were available I would have no problem with changing. I also however can very likely see cast iron better not being available *shrugs*.

[AllanW]

Yeah. That 'tactical inflexibility' is one of those irregular verbs, innit?

I back myself to win against anyone. You've gotta have confidence going in.

You give the players your confidence and support to do the business on the pitch.

He's tactically inflexible ...

[aj2k77]

Huge mistake in putting Nakamba back in the team. He can't pass or control a football properly. Poor decision.

[CT]

Huge mistake in putting Nakamba back in the team. He can't pass or control a football properly. Poor decision.

Scored a magnificent goal though, definitely on target.

[Ads]

Highest points since 2009-10. Excellent work Deano.

[Monty]

Highest points since 2009-10. Excellent work Deano.

Excellent stuff today, and he threw on the youngsters when were under pressure as well, which was great to see.

[Jon Crofts]

Huge mistake in putting Nakamba back in the team. He can't pass or control a football properly. Poor decision.

Was this an attempt at irony?

[Ads]

Chuck looks such a player.

[Drummond]

Brilliant work Dean Smith.

[darren woolley]

I really like the look of Chuck played really well unlucky not to score.

[Nunkin1965]

Nice one Deano.
Great result.
There's bound to be a negative angle somewhere though right?