Dean Smith - Confirmed

[LukeJames]

Every time im convinced he's taken us as far as he can, he does this. Stop making me look like a twat.

[Monty]

Seconded, though worth adding that making me look like a twat is my favourite habit of his!

A glance* at red cafe makes me think one or two wouldn't mind swapping with us. They were very impressed with us, and less so with their own chap.

*Oh alright, all fucking evening.

[LeeB]

Every time im convinced he's taken us as far as he can, he does this. Stop making me look like a twat.

No, keep doing it!

[LukeJames]

Every time im convinced he's taken us as far as he can, he does this. Stop making me look like a twat.

No, keep doing it!

Fair

[Brend'Watkins]

It’s really odd. We lose the best player we’ve had for many a year and are starting to look a much better team in a system that works very well.  Good work so far Dean and Co.

[Steve67]

It’s really odd. We lose the best player we’ve had for many a year and are starting to look a much better team in a system that works very well.  Good work so far Dean and Co.

Throw into that the changes with the coaching staff.  Suddenly we look more of a team on AND off the pitch.  Really enjoying this so far.  Great to see Bailey shouting for Villa too. 

[ozzjim]

I said I thought we would end up in the bottom 3 come the next international break given our form and fixtures, and /i genuinely worried about Dean being gone by November. Fair to say he is making my fears look very unfounded.

[Lastfootstamper]

Easily fixed, ozzjim, using the 'modify' post action. Go back and simply change 'bottom' to 'top', and tack '2062' onto the end of 'November'. Nobody will be any the wiser.

[Percy McCarthy]

A stunning job since taking over the terrible squad he inherited. To improve us after losing our best player and making a net profit on transfers while bringing the youth through would be top notch management of resources.

[p_ad]

Love the bloke he just comes across as a genuinely decent man, and as a lot of people have said on here he seems to improve every player at the club.

[Ger Regan]

I was one that feared a glass ceiling might have been reached for Dean. Delighted to see that he seems to be breaking through it.

[Ian.]

He’s going to smash that glass ceiling.

My only fear is keeping this squad happy. I look at our bench and I’m thinking I’d love to see Traore start, he’s such a fantastic player to watch, same as Bailey when fit. Throw in Sansom and the youngsters who I love seeing getting game time, it’s a tough job. Ings looked pissed off yesterday when he was taken off I thought, but to be successful this is how it needs to be.

Maybe not pursuing this elusive holding midfielder or upping the bid on JWP was the right thing to do.

[jwarry]

I was one that feared a glass ceiling might have been reached for Dean. Delighted to see that he seems to be breaking through it.

He is breaking through it, I suspect largely because he was ruthless enough to upgrade his backroom team.  Nice guy he is, but not afraid to make big decisions

[ROBBO]

We are far more direct without Joe, he always slowed the movement down, yes he was brilliant for us but we were brilliant for him. I watch the side he plays for now and wonder is he really happy playing chess?

[SamTheMouse]

He just keeps on doing everything that's asked of him.

One of the things I appreciate most is the fact that the team spirit and atmosphere around the club has been unfailingly positive since he arrived. After years of poisonous vibes and the tolerating of absolute wasters, there's a refreshing togetherness and belief in the squad. Smith's natural Brummie amiability has played a big part in that, I suspect.