Watford v Aston Villa post match thread

[Bermuda Villa]

Todays team selection was just baffling. You know a Pearson team will be physical and battle and yet we put out the most lightweight midfield I can remember Jota, Lansbury, Luiz, Jack and Hourihane ... how can anyone in their right mind think that is a suitable team selection ?

As for continuing with playing Wesley and the same shape that in itself asks serious questions about Dean's suitability at the top level. Why not try 1 back 3 with two wing backs, it negates reliance on their defensive ability and would allow you to have two holding midfield players and then have Jack and one other to float behind Kodja.

Sadly time is running out for Dean.

[PeterWithesShin]

Lost this with team selection Jota for Christ sake he should never ever be picked again and what has Kodja done when he can't even get on as sub, sorry but Dean Smith is looking like all our recent past managers when the pressure comes on, he surely has to go but not for none of the merry go round managers we have had over the years.

Kod came on.

[andyh]

I dont know who we have gone from front foot attacking football, setting traps etc back too hoofing it at every opportunity.......

See, I think this is a myth that has been perpetuated and grown with the haziness of time.
I don’t think we have ever been a high press, front foot attacking team under Smith, or anyone else.
During that incredible 10 game winning run, we dominated many teams and played some superb football. But we were never an ‘in your face’ and ‘up at ‘em’ team.
I think the run of results gave the impression we must be a high press, high tempo team, and the lazy fucker pundits just accepted it, like they do with so many perpetual bullshit stories.
We have had as many backwards and sideways games under Smith as we did under the previous manager. We were just extremely fortunate to have a few players who hit top form and carried us across the line.......just.

[Flamingo Lane]

Lost this with team selection Jota for Christ sake he should never ever be picked again and what has Kodja done when he can't even get on as sub, sorry but Dean Smith is looking like all our recent past managers when the pressure comes on, he surely has to go but not for none of the merry go round managers we have had over the years.

Kod came on.

Indeed he did.  At a time in the game when it seemed like a punishment.

[aj2k77]

The third goal was abysmal, look at the Watford players streaming forward busting a gut to attack compared to a couple of ours meandering backwards.

I don't like using the phrase but it appears the players aren't playing for him. He's lost the dressing room. The last month has been atrocious. Not just results wise but work ethic, tactics, the lot. Pure shit.

[russon]

The third goal was abysmal, look at the Watford players streaming forward busting a gut to attack compared to a couple of ours meandering backwards.

I don't like using the phrase but it appears the players aren't playing for him. He's lost the dressing room. The last month has been atrocious. Not just results wise but work ethic, tactics, the lot. Pure shit.

Agreed on all counts

[Clampy]

Today was the kind of perfomance that starts giving owners cause to doubt, it was that bad. I honestly thought they would go on and get a 4th and they had 10 men.

[PeterWithe]

Always thought DS would be the man for the next 10 years but when you go down heavily against the bottom team with 10 men it does make you imagine that a change might not be a bad thing.

[ronshirt]

If he 'read the riot act' at half time then either the players are not listening or not trying. Not good. Time to get rid.

[Kingthing]

My son's first away game, he'd only lost 1 in 12 until today, the lucky scarf is being put away. To fair I asked if he still wants to go to Fulham and he said yes so more fool him.

[AlexAlexCropley]

If he 'read the riot act' at half time then either the players are not listening or not trying.

Maybe they all had their new Xmas   Dre Powerbeats on

[russon]

This ‘read the riot act’  guff is feeble, it’s just  lame posturing to appease the supporters, a desperate act from a drowning man, he’s flailing around looking for sympathy. Same goes for blaming officials and VAR etc,  I want to hear that he’s dragging the players in for extra training not letting them off the hook by blaming others. Pathetic.

[villadelph]

I honestly never thought it would come to this, but I am beginning to resent Dean. His stubborn approach and failure to change anything when we are clearly spiraling out of control is not the mark of a leader. We were absolutely gash today. Fewer corners, fewer shots, lost 50/50 balls, sloppy all over the park, no feckin fight in the boys.. it showed a man unable to inspire those who should be foaming at the mouth to get in the first team. Albeit, against Watford, no less.

It was truly pathetic and I hope this is our lowest point. I can't help but think it will only get worse and we will drift back into the chxmpionship without so much as a whimper.

If Dean truly "read them the riot act" at halftime only to get completely embarrassed in the second half then he must go.

I cannot stand this 4-3-3 anymore. It's a fool's formation with the players we've got at our disposal.

[ROBBO]

Lets face it we knew the final result as soon as we saw the team sheet. Watford are a dreadful side and I'm sure they will be relegated but they outplayed us and that's how far this Dean Smith side has deteriorated. I wanted Jota off after ten minutes a dreadful player who should never have been bought so again the game plan was to give the ball to Grealish whenever possible because it's the only way we can score. I don't know what happens behind the scenes so I can't say the manager is solely to blame but as we know he is the one that will get the sack.

[villadelph]

Lets face it we knew the final result as soon as we saw the team sheet. Watford are a dreadful side and I'm sure they will be relegated but they outplayed us and that's how far this Dean Smith side has deteriorated. I wanted Jota off after ten minutes a dreadful player who should never have been bought so again the game plan was to give the ball to Grealish whenever possible because it's the only way we can score. I don't know what happens behind the scenes so I can't say the manager is solely to blame but as we know he is the one that will get the sack.

Well, if Dean had any say in our summer recruiting than its even more damning.