Dean Smith - reflection & appreciation

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Paul McGrath and John Gregory have also penned some good professional tributes.

[cdbearsfan]

So have Cash and Mings. And others, I assume.

[Risso]

My three favourite moments under Smith:

The final whistle after the Play Off final
The Everton home game first season back up
Beating Liverpool 7-2

The three not so favourite moments

The home battering by Man City for Drinkwater's debut
The drubbing by Leicester just before the first lockdown
The Wolves 3-2 this season, which was probably the catalyst to today

[West Derby Villan]

Thanks Deano for bringing pride back to our club. I’ll never forget that play-off final. It’s a sad day but I think he’ll be revered in the same way as SGT, he can be proud of what he achieved.

[Villan82]

This is the saddest day for some time. i had turned, for sure, but Dean is probably in my top three favourite managers of the past 36-37 years.  It was special to have a villa fan at the helm and he is the first villa manager in a very long time who can be considered a success. He has been a successful manager and he gave us some great days out.

Things sort of ran out of steam and I think it is best for all parties that it happened now. However, I am very sad that it did run out of steam and I can't help but think events in the summer really caused it all to go wrong.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Our former manager and always a fan Dean Smith will be welcome at the Villa any time. Can't say the same for ratboy who helped get him sacked.

[The Edge]

I know I can't link to it, but there's a lovely tribute to him on the Birmingham Mail site by Mat Kendrick.

Just read it. Lovely article by Matt Kendrick.

[Goldenballs]

If people were on the fence about the reception they were going to give ratboy, I hope this sways them.  Should be interesting now. Has the little weasel piped up on twitter yet?

[Neil Hawkes]

Thanks for the wonderful memories.

You lived the dream we all have, by bringing your (and our) Club into the top league and then cementing their place with style and commitment.

It may have gone wrong this year, but the short time you had the reigns have given us some of the best moments in our recent history.

You should leave with your head held high and in the knowledge that your successor will have the components of a very competitive team and the infrastructure behind the scenes are as good as I can remember in my lifetime.

All the very best Dean, take care and up the Villa.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

I’m really disappointed. I think we’ve got a great squad but we’ve lost our way in the last few games. He has not suddenly turned into a bad manager, it’s just a run of bad form. I’m annoyed. I think it’s an awful decision and I dread to think who they’re going to bring in. I’m not naive enough to think Dean Smith would be with us forever but this strikes me as a knee jerk decision that will take a lot for the team to get back from.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

If people were on the fence about the reception they were going to give ratboy, I hope this sways them.  Should be interesting now. Has the little weasel piped up on twitter yet?

https://twitter.com/jackgrealish/status/1457343194983800838?s=21

[Risso]

I’m really disappointed. I think we’ve got a great squad but we’ve lost our way in the last few games. He has not suddenly turned into a bad manager, it’s just a run of bad form. I’m annoyed. I think it’s an awful decision and I dread to think who they’re going to bring in. I’m not naive enough to think Dean Smith would be with us forever but this strikes me as a knee jerk decision that will take a lot for the team to get back from.

It's been a bad run of form for 11 months though.

[Exeter 77]

Dean restored pride in Villa. I can see why the owners have made the decision and understand the timing but it is still a sad day. I think Dean was let down by some individuals at least one of whom is obvious.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I’m really disappointed. I think we’ve got a great squad but we’ve lost our way in the last few games. He has not suddenly turned into a bad manager, it’s just a run of bad form. I’m annoyed. I think it’s an awful decision and I dread to think who they’re going to bring in. I’m not naive enough to think Dean Smith would be with us forever but this strikes me as a knee jerk decision that will take a lot for the team to get back from.

It's been a bad run of form for 11 months though.

Yup, nothing kneejerk about it, 18 defeats in 35 matches during 2021. He'll learn from his time with us and bounce back though. When his team are on form they're a joy to watch.

[DC1874]

Yeah, I hope Grealish gets the full Judas treatment in a couple of weeks because if he'd stayed in the summer I'm sure things would have been a lot different!