I was in full doom mode, but I wasn't aiming it at Smith. I felt we had been weakened significantly as a result of the summer events, including clubs playing games with us knowing we had extra money, and that eventually affecting our recruitment. Again, it was never aimed at Smith. I don't think I was the only one like that either.
The last two games have been a massive surprise for me, and the big surprises recruitment/non-recruitment have been Tuanzebe, Ramsey and the nouse of Ings for me. Those three have really helped broaden the skills and balance within the team. It's great and exciting. It's too early to say how the season is going to go, but considering we were average without Grealish last year (and perhaps more critically post covid, which might explain a lot) it's been great to see. One way or another it's a new era now.