av1

I've saw a few posts now suggesting we may struggle for a few months adapting to Smiths way of playing, and i must say i disagree. I think Smith is far to intelligent to expect our lot to suddenly start playing Brentford by Saturday afternoon, and so the changes will be gradual. He is known for making changes to his team based on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition so is very adaptable with the resources he has available. What i think he will try to implement quickly is a hard working unit without the ball, and a positive attack minded approach when in possession. This part of his approach won't (imo) be difficult to implement, he will basically be taking the hand brake off and the players will enjoy it. We won't look like Brentford in 2 weeks but I'm sure we'll look a dam site better than we have for much of this season. Can't wait till Saturday.

Oh i don't disagree mate, I'm not a fan. I just think that 2/3 right footed players on the left slows everything down, and i wimder if this may come into Smiths thinking? Either way i think getting a LB in January should (along with a CB) be a high priority.

I think Smith may choose to go with Taylor at LB. Now i don't particularly rate the kid, the fact Alan Hutton is ahead of him is damming enough, but i do think our lack of balance on the left is a issue. Hutton, Kodjia, and Grealish (when he wonders over to the left) are always looking to cut back onto their right sides so play on that side of the field is always terribly slow. With Smith favouring a faster pace i think Taylor might get the nod purely because he is left footed. It's a shame young Clark is out on loan, he may very well have got a bit of game time (if my assumption is correct).

You're probably right, watching Brenford we can all think of quite of lads that Smith would probably like to show the door to, unfortunately due to the fact many of these guys are on very good salaries, wanting to and being able to are very different things. I'd worry if that is the plan because for me the only really saleable assest is Jack, and it would seem bizarre to sell him in January after only just singing an extension. Though it wouldn't be the first time, and as you say, we are governed by FFP.

Everything you say is of course correct mate, i think many people are though probably looking back to falied bids for Bryan, McKenna and the French boy late in the last window and are are thinking that if the owners felt they could spend then, there must be some sort of plan in place that will allow us to spend a couple of pennies in January.

Regarding time, lets not forget we finished mid table under Bruce in his first season, and Bruce and Smith have taken over at similar times. If the "needs a pre season and his own signings" was valid for Bruce in his first season, it must also extend to Smith. Especially as Smiths style will be much more difficult to implement.

Agreed. We finished 4th and then beat Boro, it can be spun both ways.

A cheeky bid?

Gis a clue

Agreed. I'd be bloody delighted if we could recreate the Brentford stucture.

And that's exactly why we must take a long term view. Smith, CP and the new DOF of football have been brought in for that purpose. Which is why we have someone like Smith and not Big Sam at the healm.

Agreed. Being a villa fan and having a history of playing good football will instantly bring a feel good factor back to VP. Ofcourse he will still need to get results, but if we see progression he will be given time and support.

I really don't understand this notion that he won't be given time. Bruce bored us to death and it was only after 2yrs that he got pelters at VP. Is Smith gives us signs that long term progression is achievable the vast majority of fans will support him though difficult times because root and branch change won't happen overnight. We've all been calling for a fundamental change at the club so we need to understand that that won't happen immediately. As long as the signs of progression towards that are there we can't (and i don't think we will) start getting on his back the first time we have a few slumps, this will take time.

Brilliant.

I'm really struggling to understand posters who fear Smith will fail but think Henry would have been success.