Vincenzo Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Don’t underestimate his ambition...he’s relatively young for a manager and will only improve Look how much he has developed already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaFaninLondon Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 We won yesterday and that's the main thing. But ultimately we were poor for nearly 80 mins of that game, didn't register a shot on target until the 71st minute or something like that, and Smith only made the subs when he was forced to. Fulham also collapsed defensively and generously allowed us to come back into the game by retreating when they were 1-0 up. If it had stayed at 1-0, the reaction would have been completely different. Because we ended up winning, it's an opportunity now to have a dig at fans who were criticising the manager during the game. It shouldn't be, because for most of the game we were absolutely awful again. Dean may have got his subs right but it was a throw of the dice when we were already 1-0 down (we had been playing poorly for a long time before that) - ultimately it paid off and that's a relief, because that's one of the few winnable games we have left this season and for me we really had to win yesterday. It's also the first time this season we've come from behind to win so that's good for confidence. I'm still not convinced by the manager despite the result yesterday and this mysterious Jack Grealish injury and the comments made about it ("99% sure he'll make the Fulham game") is not making my feelings for him any better (whether he was injured in training on Saturday or not, I don't know, I'm not convinced that's the truth), but I'm happy we won a game of football again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) 2 minutes ago, villalad21 said: What is wrong with wanting a big name? I don't get this. They have a big name for a reason. They are talented managers. Because managers are capable of declining just like players Rafa is done at this level but maintains his reputation And like I said I think a big name comes with an overhaul of a lot of what the club has worked hard to put in place And pigeon holing a lot here I think our manager for the next 3 years has the really important task of bringing through our excellent looking youth team which big name managers aren't great at doing, they want big name players and protect their own interests rather than develop anything Edit - and that's all before I say you're talking about replacing a manager who is doing perfectly fine just so that we can compete at a level that we're not at yet! Edited April 5, 2021 by villa4europe 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DCJonah Posted April 5, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2021 17 minutes ago, villalad21 said: I don't think you will find anyone on here not appreciative of the progress we've made. But it's about going to that next level and some of us don't feel Smith is the right man to achieve that. Not seen him have the tactical nouse required to get there. He will get next season for sure but it will be interesting to see if he can raise above that famous "ceiling" which for instance Wolves have definitely hit under Nuno. I strongly disagree with that first line. I have no idea if Smith will get us to the next level, but why the hell is that a worry, our 2nd season back in the league? This is where this spoilt child comparison comes from. What's with the demand for this instant success? Why can't we accept that its a long term plan? If he can't take us there, then he will rightly be replaced but worrying about that now is again, this doomsday scenario to justify moaning. Let's not forget you turned on him 3 months into the job. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eholm Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Interesting quotes from DS re 2 up top and Wes as a 10.... "It doesn’t have to be a case of one or the other," Smith said, while discussing Watkins and Wesley. "I’m not afraid of changing systems. "When I signed Wesley, he was playing up front for Brugge and he was up there mainly playing alongside a guy called Krepin Diatta, who went on to sign for Monaco. So I know he can partner players up front. "Wes can play as a 10, he can be a different type of player. "He’s got the body strength to hold the ball up for us and his technique holds up." https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-trezeguet-liverpool-grealish-20321597 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HKP90 Posted April 5, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted April 5, 2021 1 minute ago, DCJonah said: Amazing isn't it. In fairness I really rate Ancellotti, but I guess that just reinforces the argument that Smith is doing well really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 23 minutes ago, eholm said: Interesting quotes from DS re 2 up top and Wes as a 10.... "It doesn’t have to be a case of one or the other," Smith said, while discussing Watkins and Wesley. "I’m not afraid of changing systems. "When I signed Wesley, he was playing up front for Brugge and he was up there mainly playing alongside a guy called Krepin Diatta, who went on to sign for Monaco. So I know he can partner players up front. "Wes can play as a 10, he can be a different type of player. "He’s got the body strength to hold the ball up for us and his technique holds up." https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-trezeguet-liverpool-grealish-20321597 I think the better the squad becomes the more flexible we will see the team become. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vive_La_Villa Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) From the time we made the substitutions we completely bossed the game. They couldn’t really handle us. I don’t know whether it was fatigue on their part or maybe just the pressure. But they were the better team and in control until we changed it. It’s good to see Smith make early changed that affect the game. But something still isn’t right with how we are approaching games for the most part. Grealish returning would really give everyone a boost but god knows when that will happen. Edited April 5, 2021 by Vive_La_Villa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mark Albrighton Posted April 5, 2021 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2021 There’s some valid criticism of Smith. I think there’s something in the questioning of the rigidity of his system, dropping an in form El Ghazi to bring back Barkley, over reliance on Grealish....those sort of things, people might not agree with it, I’m not sure it’s unique to Smith, but at least there’s some construction to the criticism. It’s not calling for his head all the time or saying he’s a poor manager. That stuff undermines the more legitimate, reasoned criticism. Just over two years ago, it was being discussed in here whether Dean Smith was the right man to win promotion. Now we’re discussing whether he’s the ultimately right man to break into the top four or six of the premier league. I know some people are fed up of hearing that, but it’s worth remembering. And the funding, it works out to be about £13m-14m per player on average. It’s not nothing, but it’s also not a budget that ensures a top half finish. People can absolutely want the best for the club and it may well prove to be that Smith ultimately isn’t the man to achieve what the supporters and owners want. But while the general trajectory season by season is still going upwards, I think such a discussion is fairly moot. 8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Dean is not a Pep Guardiola, but to be fair to Dean, he hasn't got the players Pep has, to be Pep....Pep is a great manager, but lets be honest, everywhere he has gone, he has had the Worlds best players. Dean for me, is still learning and will make mistakes ,but when you have to balance so many factors, thoughts can get pulled in various directions, I'll bett the coaches don't always agree, thats natural......I think we have done great to accrue 44 points to date.....However,I think Dean's job is made more difficult, by player inconsistency, it must be head banging to keep ahead of that, but he has done really well, with it. Deans main attribute IMV is his creator of Harmony, he fits with just about every aspect and department of the club, that is not easy to do, when so many egos are at play....keeping everyone happy is a gift to behold. The overall view of the club, fits with Deans tenure, He is a safe pair of hands, but that would be grossly under rating him, if thats all he had. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmirch Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 People who want Smith gone are dim. Really dim. He isn't faultless but look around the premier league and ask yourself who would achieve more with the sets of players we’ve had over the last 3 years. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blandy Posted April 5, 2021 Moderator Share Posted April 5, 2021 we don’t want to have to ask this again - please stay on topic - this topic is Dean Smith, not your opinions of other posters, other managers, other players, other people’s Reactions in match threads. Please stay on topic, Villans. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lexicon Posted April 5, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2021 What we've had from Smith since his arrival is constant improvement. He's got a great attitude towards the game - always looking to learn and progress, and it's definitely rubbed off on the players. With another window like the one we had in the summer, I think we'll definitely be chasing a European place next season. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 5 hours ago, eholm said: Interesting quotes from DS re 2 up top and Wes as a 10.... "It doesn’t have to be a case of one or the other," Smith said, while discussing Watkins and Wesley. "I’m not afraid of changing systems. "When I signed Wesley, he was playing up front for Brugge and he was up there mainly playing alongside a guy called Krepin Diatta, who went on to sign for Monaco. So I know he can partner players up front. "Wes can play as a 10, he can be a different type of player. "He’s got the body strength to hold the ball up for us and his technique holds up." https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-trezeguet-liverpool-grealish-20321597 I like the sound of this. I'm hoping yesterday encourages him to do just this, with Davis, at least until Jack is back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, TRO said: Deans main attribute IMV is his creator of Harmony, he fits with just about every aspect and department of the club, that is not easy to do, when so many egos are at play....keeping everyone happy is a gift to behold. The overall view of the club, fits with Deans tenure, He is a safe pair of hands, but that would be grossly under rating him, if thats all he had. This is key! Edited April 5, 2021 by JAMAICAN-VILLAN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vive_La_Villa Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 I inadvertently read that Smith hasn’t shown the tactical nous to take us to the ‘next level’. What does this even mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, Vincenzo said: Don’t underestimate his ambition...he’s relatively young for a manager and will only improve Look how much he has developed already I ain't saying he's a gold digger but He got that ambition, baby, look at his eyesThis week he moppin' floors, next week it's the friesSo stick by his side... Probably only end up leaving our ass for a white side (England) Edited April 5, 2021 by sne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 13 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said: I inadvertently read that Smith hasn’t shown the tactical nous to take us to the ‘next level’. What does this even mean? Not enough complex, scientific and frantic hand gesturing on the sidelines. The true sign of a quality coach - Duh. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 1 minute ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said: Not enough complex, scientific and frantic hand gesturing on the sidelines. The true sign of a quality coach - Duh. Zero throwing of Gilet either 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briny_ear Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 22 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said: I inadvertently read that Smith hasn’t shown the tactical nous to take us to the ‘next level’. What does this even mean? Not quite sure how you can inadvertently read something, but where and when did you accidentally read this? If you can give the context it may be possible to give a reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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