Sometimes I like to stop and look at how far we've come with Dean in charge, in what is still a relatively short time.He's been here less than three years, but in the second half on Saturday we took off a £20m England striker and replaced him with a £30m Argentinian attacking midfielder (while leaving another £30m England striker on the pitch). We also replaced one 20-year old youth product with another 19-year-old youth product from the bench. And we did all this on our way to deservedly winning three points at Old Trafford.If you'd told me that such a thing was coming in October 2018 I'd have thought you were bonkers. I'd have hoped you were right, but I wouldn't have believed it was possible - not after the decade we'd just endured.We might lose at Spurs, and see plenty of the positivity we're currently enjoying seep away, but it's always nice to step back from the match-to-match obsession (which we're all guilty of) and look at our journey so far - because it's been a bloody good one.Who knows what we'll be looking back on in another three years?
One of my biggest criticisms of Dean was his in game management. The past couple of games have seen him being much more proactive, which is great to see
Quote from: Ger Regan on September 28, 2021, 07:13:36 PMOne of my biggest criticisms of Dean was his in game management. The past couple of games have seen him being much more proactive, which is great to seeHe’s been doing it all season to be fair. It’s definitely something that’s different now. Maybe it’s having more faith with what’s available on the bench or help from his colleagues.
Quote from: Smithy on September 28, 2021, 02:54:12 PMSometimes I like to stop and look at how far we've come with Dean in charge, in what is still a relatively short time.He's been here less than three years, but in the second half on Saturday we took off a £20m England striker and replaced him with a £30m Argentinian attacking midfielder (while leaving another £30m England striker on the pitch). We also replaced one 20-year old youth product with another 19-year-old youth product from the bench. And we did all this on our way to deservedly winning three points at Old Trafford.If you'd told me that such a thing was coming in October 2018 I'd have thought you were bonkers. I'd have hoped you were right, but I wouldn't have believed it was possible - not after the decade we'd just endured.We might lose at Spurs, and see plenty of the positivity we're currently enjoying seep away, but it's always nice to step back from the match-to-match obsession (which we're all guilty of) and look at our journey so far - because it's been a bloody good one.Who knows what we'll be looking back on in another three years?Excellent post.
To repeat what I'm saying more and more - I'm still not sure whether Dean will prove to be another Ron Saunders, or Vic Crowe. But I'm certain that if it's the latter his successor will inherit the best situation any new Villa manager has enjoyed for at least thirty years.
Quote from: dave.woodhall on September 28, 2021, 07:44:31 PMTo repeat what I'm saying more and more - I'm still not sure whether Dean will prove to be another Ron Saunders, or Vic Crowe. But I'm certain that if it's the latter his successor will inherit the best situation any new Villa manager has enjoyed for at least thirty years. Absolutely, he might, eventually, prove to be the wrong man to take us where we want to be but the squad he's building to get there, and the club being built around it, is the best we've had for a long time and when we're looking for a replacement I suspect the candidates will be very excited by the prospect. I hope that all happens years from now though and we're on the 2nd or 3rd generation of youth players coming through.