If there is one bad hand he has been dealt, it was losing Heaton, McGinn and Wesley.
Luke, you are correct in that there are several elements to this relegation but surely you admit that Smith is a huge factor in that too? In terms of the posts integrated, Dean being a proven Championship Manager, Thomas Frank has done better with Brentford than Dean did. It is a highly arguable point too.
Quote from: Newby on July 12, 2020, 09:13:09 AMLuke, you are correct in that there are several elements to this relegation but surely you admit that Smith is a huge factor in that too? In terms of the posts integrated, Dean being a proven Championship Manager, Thomas Frank has done better with Brentford than Dean did. It is a highly arguable point too. Smith is absolutely a factor. There are a lot of areas where Smith has made mistakes and could have done better and he should be accountable for that. But, as I said, I think there have also be a lot of others factors that have also had a significant impact on the season that mean it’s a bit simplistic to just say he should be sacked because we get relegated (if we do of course!)Personally, I think there is a decent amount to be said for continuity in football. When you factor in the other circumstances regarding our performance this season, and look at the positive aspects of Smith’s time here, then I wouldn’t be unhappy to see him still in charge next season. Re - Brentford. They are a bit of an unique club, so not necessarily straightforward to compare managers, but, and obviously we will never know, they were looking pretty good before Smith left last season.
I think stick with Dean tbh. He knows the squad and where it went wrong and what needs to be done to fix it. He is also a good manager at that level.I'd say we've got a group that'd do OK in the Championship and probably finish around the play-offs. If we can add 3-4 experienced heads and a Jack replacement we should be in the promotion mix.
Quote from: Clampy on July 12, 2020, 10:07:30 AMIf there is one bad hand he has been dealt, it was losing Heaton, McGinn and Wesley. Fair point. GK should have been covered by Steer (I'd have given him #1 this season after his heroics last season), McGinn was out of form before his injury, so no loss there imo, and Wesley.. .well. We all knew we'd come unstuck just signing one unproven, striker for a whole Premier League campaign, so I have ZERO sympathy for him there.
DS will have a voice on who we signed but his wouldn’t have been the only one, the game has changed, signings are made by committee now.