Blasterpocket68

same story ALL season - we were unlucky with the PEN but basically defensively again shocking. I love Jack to bits but he didn't have a good game last night and should have been subed if nothing else to keep him fresh for Palace.

I agree but why has it taken most of the season to tighten things up defensively as a team and find the postilion that best suits our best asset (Jack ) Had we started the season like this (OK in hindsight i know) instead of the open football with a new team of players, i believe we would be in a much better position than we currently find ourselves. Its taken far too long for Smith to realise you cant keep the footballing strategy he employed and stuck with . Its the equivalent of racing in formula one with a Ford Fiesta . Still a chance if the shape and recent effort of the team continues - but a very slim one!!

yes its been a very long time since we performed or acted like a so called "big club" .

They will and we will be beaten comfortably

Not saying your wrong mate but we have not picked up points against the top six all season , we average now less than a point a game , we are at the stage of needing miracles given the games to come and situation. I admire your optimism but really do not see a lot changing!

they came up with a squad thats been together some time and with an identity and a manger with a plan !

No we would need a new manger and more players with Prem experience not easy

We had to rebuild a complete new team - this was always going to be a challenge and risky. We also needed to replace Tammy this we didnt! Smith was responsible and has to take some responsibility for recruitment! He was pictured many times in the stands scouting players such as Trezeguet and Marvelous so he cant be blameless . However i have seen enough with the squad in patches and periods of games to believe we could have survived. The bottom 6 - teams are poor this year were not to far away from them .However Smiths game management has been non existent! The fundamental thing that was wrong was the strategy Smith took to try and play open football, we were never going to manage this with such a new squad of players. He is responsible for coaching and the structure of how he coaches and develops the team . Nothing has improved all season! My biggest criticism is how badly we defended as a team constantly allowing opposition space and time in our own half was scandalous. As the season developed the players confidence drained and the individual errors increased and he was unable to pick them up! To be fair since the restart we have looked a little better defensively but at the cost of being non existent as an attacking threat! Its not a particular good squad but it could have been enough! "Miracle on Mersey side maybe?

sadly no

were gone other than a miracle on mersey side

no his not - we should never replace with his like EVER again

just wait until the weekend we will get that record back

We are as bad if not worse than those around us unfortunately

Not going to debate this with you but to suggest Im hypocritical fair enough - Please read back the context of the thread!

This is what i believe reads a little disrespectful

How Disrespectful Villa Talk is for sharing opinions about the club we all support! Is football really that different? 11 Players 1 ball score goals All the rubbish surrounding the game has changed and most unfortunately people have no respect and tolerance for other peoples views and opinions!

Agreed 100% the key is recruitment and the team upstairs who make decisions smith included - If it remains as it is today i fear we will will endure more pain and a long long road back.

You are correct we have looked a little tighter at the back as a team - but this has been detrimental to everything going forward as a team.

were gone - if were all honest the players heads have as well , no way back now other than a miracle on Mersey side .

LOL

We have debated before but DS was involved in bringing those players in .

I just cant see us scoring TBH Newcastle were a very poor team and we looked ordinary and uninspiring - Wolves will like to counter and i imagine we will set up as per Sheff U and Chelsea looking to defend for long periods of the game then trying to optimise our opportunities with free kicks corners. we need some extraordinary good luck from here on in . We need that win but cant see it ! Same old same old!

Jim - the Director of Football - is not responsible for coaching the players basics! team strategy defending as a team game management motivation Smith as much as we appreciate his efforts last season is woefully out of his depth at this level this is embarrassingly clear . I think the whole structure inside VP needs to be reviewed as its not working !

Cant wait to see what our scouting team and coaches come up with next

LOLLL what direction are we going then with Smith. Would Sean Dyche want to come to villa ?