Where Did It All Go Wrong....

[Villatillidie1982]

To me, the key thing with the Leicester game was that it was the last time we started a game with Heaton, Mings, McGinn, Grealish and Wesley. We’ve been without at least two of them for every game bar one since then (which we won).

They all have their faults, but make a reasonable spine to our team so to be without that for so long is not ideal.

If McGinn and Wesley had kept fit, we wouldn't be in this mess. McGinn still isn't fit and Davis hasn't been good enough.

[Damo70]

We bought a whole new team during last summer. Similar to what BFR did in 1991. But BFR bought the likes of Sealey, Regis, Ugo, Bosnich, Teale, Richardson, Parker, Staunton, Barrett and Dalian. This time around we seem to have bought a team of Paul Mortimer's and Dariusz Kubicki's.

[sickbeggar]

We bought a whole new team during last summer. Similar to what BFR did in 1991. But BFR bought the likes of Sealey, Regis, Ugo, Bosnich, Teale, Richardson, Parker, Staunton, Barrett and Dalian. This time around we seem to have bought a team of Paul Mortimer's and Dariusz Kubicki's.

Bit unfair really. I'm sure Smith would have liked to have bought the equivalent of those players, but 1st team players from Premiership teams were never going to come to us even if we could afford the transfers fees

[dave.woodhall]

We bought a whole new team during last summer. Similar to what BFR did in 1991. But BFR bought the likes of Sealey, Regis, Ugo, Bosnich, Teale, Richardson, Parker, Staunton, Barrett and Dalian. This time around we seem to have bought a team of Paul Mortimer's and Dariusz Kubicki's.

Those players weren't all brought in during the summer, and only half of them went straight into the first team.

[DB]

3 things for me. Trying to bridge a huge gap between 5th in the Ch-ship and the PL...even just to stay up. Poor recruitment of players, not enougjbexperience and quality. 3rd, management not upto the task, yes he had shit players but he does look out his depth.

[themossman]

I was thinking this morning about what an absolute joke it is that we have been through a whole season without a decent striker.

You look at the teams who have played their way out of danger and the fine margins all the way down from Burnley and a big difference has been having a decent striker hitting form. It’s not just the goals, it’s the mentality of knowing there’s actually some point to building attacks.

It must be soul sapping playing in a team where the strikers can’t get the goal in the net.

[FranzBiberkopf]

Agree with the lack of striker(s) killed us. There was never enough goals in the front three to keep us up.

He (Smith) would have got some proper stick on here though if hed signed Long or Woods or Ings or someone like that in the pre season (though with hindsight we should)

[hilts_coolerking]

Agree with the lack of striker(s) killed us. There was never enough goals in the front three to keep us up.

He (Smith) would have got some proper stick on here though if hed signed Long or Woods or Ings or someone like that in the pre season (though with hindsight we should)

Would he?  It was pretty much recognised by everyone on here at the time that the striker situation was a worry.  With the options we had, someone like a Long or a Woods or an Ings would have most welcome.

[Nii Lamptey]

The fact that most of us fans knew the lack of proven striker would be our undoing before a ball was kicked, is a quite frankly unforgiveable error on the club's part.
..... And then to REPEAT that mistake in January is mindblowing!

[ChicagoLion]

There is a lot of, if he had of done ...... he would get criticised.
It’s irrelevant, he is getting criticised because he is demonstrating he isn’t up to the job.
I couldn’t care if he signed Trevor Francis In a wheel chair  if it got the job done.

[themossman]

Yeah it’s not really meant a defence of smith. He’s made plenty of mistakes and failed to get the most out of what he’s got, both with his selection decisions and in game tactics.

But trying to survive In this league with one injury prone, non scoring striker and two huge gambles from a dodgy league is a weird combination of arrogance and ineptitude. Oh for a Gayle type to throw into these post lockdown games.

[frank black]

Agree with the lack of striker(s) killed us. There was never enough goals in the front three to keep us up.

He (Smith) would have got some proper stick on here though if hed signed Long or Woods or Ings or someone like that in the pre season (though with hindsight we should)

Our main problems have been at the other end of the pitch.

[SoccerHQ]

Very interesting point there Lucky Eddie. We do have Ian Taylor but I know exactly what you mean. Southgate is one obvious example of the kind of thing you are referring to.

David Platt was always the best example of it when he used to turn up on Sky and big up Man. United at every opportunity (this was before he worked at Man. City under Mancini) and downgrade us. Pretty sure Petrov has done some Villa games in the past on Sky.

Wonder if likes of Barry and Milner will be used when they retire and decide to go into punditry?

[SoccerHQ]

I was thinking this morning about what an absolute joke it is that we have been through a whole season without a decent striker.

You look at the teams who have played their way out of danger and the fine margins all the way down from Burnley and a big difference has been having a decent striker hitting form. It’s not just the goals, it’s the mentality of knowing there’s actually some point to building attacks.

It must be soul sapping playing in a team where the strikers can’t get the goal in the net.

Even though we'd had some terrible performances since xmas the general season standard hasn't been as bad as what we'd regularly churn out during Lambert. However back then you always knew Benteke and to a lesser degree Gabby would hit a good run of goalscoring form at some point, happened when Sherwood came in for last three months of 14/15.

[villa `cross the mersey]

3 things for me. Trying to bridge a huge gap between 5th in the Ch-ship and the PL...even just to stay up. Poor recruitment of players, not enougjbexperience and quality. 3rd, management not upto the task, yes he had shit players but he does look out his depth.

Spot on DB, pretty much how I see it . What concerns me now is the opinions of some who state " at least we are not in a position as bad as 2016"
Potentially we could be - we will probably lose our " best" players and be left with another team recruitment exercise ahead of  us
Plus a new manager/coach
Notwithstanding having to face more local rivals .....time for the CEO to step up to the plate and take big and bold decisions - starting with the appointment of a better manager