M_Afro

You’ll feel better right up to the point that you realise the guy you have replaced him with is even worse!

He seems a bit of a character with a somewhat chequered past! From the little I have read though he also seems well liked and to be a calm and relaxed leader. We certainly need more characters of that ilk. I am surprised we are going for another CH though. I think we are ok in this position.

I think the reason for the new contract could be a combination of many things. Too many to speculate really. It probably doesn’t matter that much as I would expect us to have a sensible break clause in the contract that will minimise any compensation due in the event that it is terminated. On the wider subject of the competence of the manager. I have always held reservations over his suitability. Those feelings were only magnified when we went on our awful run last year and also when interviewed at the start of the season when he talked, in a very coy manner, going to Anfield and Man City and out playing the opposition at their own game! I mean, that is impossible for us. We need to be much cleverer than that surely! Having said all of that, I really think Dean is good for the club and I want him to get it right. Being a Villan does provide a nice conduit between fans and owners. He does genuinely understand us. He does want to meet our hopes and expectations. He does want to excite and entertain us. He has earned a bit longer to prove himself in my view. Our fate is far from confirmed just yet. We can easily climb the table. January will be massive. Some good signings (pace and power please), return from injury of Mings and Engels and a return to form of some of the other players and things could be much brighter.

I think that this is spot on. Most of our summer signings are very capable of playing at this level. It is hard for them all trying to learn and find themselves at the same time. We have also massively missed the leadership provided by Mings and SJM in these last few games, let alone their quality. The drop off from SJM to Lansbury for example is enormous. I also don’t think the constant chopping and changing of players has helped. Smith uses pretty much the same formation and tactics every match. He should stick to the same personnel too so that the likes of Targett can get used to those around him.

What has happened to our youth development? We do not seem to have any home grown players pushing for a place in the squad, not even in the cup matches. All other teams seem to have a core of development players in their squad but we don’t have any!

I don’t think we should get rid of Smith yet but if we did, I would go for Gerard. He has slowly built through his work at Liverpool and now Rangers. He really has worked wonders with Rangers who look like winning the SPL this year. His teams play great football and he clearly has an eye for a player. He would also be a real inspirational leader for our young players.

Ridiculous. Are you 12?

There’s just no need for that name calling mate. Suso seems like a good guy. The signings we made in the summer were as a result of the signing panel which included Suso, Smith and Purslow. They were signed with a view to the future. It is ridiculous to write them all off at this juncture. Today’s hurt a lot but things aren’t quite as bad as they seem yet!

I think we need a strong statement from the board. They either need to come out and strongly back Smith or get rid. The fanbase are all over the place and we need some strong leadership. Silence is unhelpful at this point.

We are in our poor run of form with some key injuries. We have also met the three shite teams at a time when they are all enjoying a purple patch! It is unfortunate but we have to turn it around quickly.

Everything seems painful at the moment. We have had a tough old month. Things can turn around quickly though. We need a change of fortune and quick. It was always going to be a difficult season but things are not as bad as they seem. We have shown that we are very capable at this level. We can get back there again.

If fit he must start every game. He is the only player who offers any presence in midfield. He is far from perfect but he is the best option available. Dean needs to stop the effing chopping and changing and stick to something.

It is still really close. Getting Mings back is massive. Add a couple of well placed January signings and we can still turn it around. Whatever happens I would replace Dean if he is still here at the end of the season. His approach is too inflexible and he does not seem to be learning any lessons!

As soon as we saw his team I think most people thought we were going to be in trouble. He seems happy as anything to chop and change the players but sticks rigidly to the same formation and tactics. If you expect premier league quality from Connor, Henri, Jota, Elmo then you are gonna be disappointed. Three of them are never up for the fight either. I’m not sure why he has dropped Fred either. He is our only pacy player. He is not the best but at least he offers a threat out wide. Lots to ponder for the manager. Hopefully Mings will be back for the next match. I would bring him and Engels back in and play a back five with Fred and Targett as wing backs.

It is a hard one. The same thing happened last year and we stuck with Dean who eventually turned it around with the return of Jack from injury. He cannot rely on this now Though so does he have anything else in his locker to turn this around? The key thing is, we should definitely stick unless there is a better option available. I’m not sure who that is but it is pointless replacing Dean with a run of the mill journeyman.

Hard to defend Smith after that. How many times have we failed to take advantage of playing against 10 men? Pretty clueless stuff.

Blimey. Glad you’re not manager mate

Get the passenger Lansbury off. Stick Jack in the middle, AEG out wide and press from the front. We need to have a go now.

Massive team talk here for Dean. He picked a team to control possession and yet we have failed. It’s obviously not working and we cannot afford a defeat today. I would kill for s a draw now! He needs to change things. Not in 15 minutes but now. Time to prove your worth as a PL manager Deano. Don’t let us down

This side can only win if we somehow keep possession. Anything less than 55% and we could be in trouble.

Blimey. What has Lansbury done to get a start ahead of Nakamba? That is a mid table Championship midfield. No pace anywhere on the pitch. We have picked a team not to lose. Last time he did that at Shef Utd he said he wouldn’t do it again! Why does he do that in matches we could actually win and then go to good teams and open up? I hope it works but I am fearful now

His first half season in the PL has been good overall. He is struggling a bit for form at the moment but will be better as a result. Would love him to score. I think it would do him the World of good.

I wish people would stop saying play Kodjia just because he is not Wesley. Is it beyond the comprehension of peoples minds to understand that given the same set of circumstances, things could actually be worse if Kodjia replaces Wesley? If anybody can provide a single reason, based upon 12 months of evidence, why Kodjia should start I will be amazed.

We just need to take care of our own points. Other results are irrelevant at this stage so long as we are picking up points. We got 5 wins in the first half of the season. I think we need another 7 to be certain of staying up (possibly 6). That’s a win every 3 games. Starting to win away will be key to achieving that so 3points today would be a great start and we can definitely beat Watford. We need to be brave and go for it!

Every week I big Wes up and say he is going to score in the hope that his luck will change. I think it’s time for a different approach. He won’t score in a month of Sunday’s. Clearly not a PL player. Waste of cash etc etc (I don’t really mean any of those things Wes). Now that should have secured his first hat trick in a Villa shirt