dont_do_it_doug. Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 I find it quite interesting how sure some people are of where this squad can finish. I still have them pegged anywhere between 6th and 16th. There is ability all over the pitch, clearly? You can say we are lacking a particular type of player in midfield and I might agree, but that all depends on the system and whether we are able to get the squad to gel in time to make a push up the table. I'd be surprised if we finished any lower than firmly in mid-table, as per last season, and also surprised if we finished in the European places given the upheaval, however I am leaving room in there for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thabucks Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) I’ve been a fan for over 30 years, Ive seen many a manager loved / loathed come & go and over the years to the point my affinity & enthusiasm for our managers has waned somewhat, I’m not as emotionally linked to who our manager is as I once was. I think the tenures of GTMKII McCleish, Sherwood & Bruce have scared me for life somewhat. The joys of Big Ron, Little, Gregory, early O’Neil years… now but a distant & faded memory … With Smith I’ll hold my hands up to say I’m prone to swinging between the two camps reactively & emotionally… also sometimes irrationally. Thinking logically, cold facts are that since he’s been here, Smith has been; Promoted. Taken us on x2 trips to Wembley. Is building a coherent & formidable squad. Oh and, blooded the youngsters. He hasn’t massively put a foot wrong anywhere along the journey thus far … Messed up thing is that I can sympathise and see both sides of the argument. If / when he is eventually sacked or steps down, that will be a sad day, but I’d easily get over it and have the upmost faith in NSWE & Co it’s the right time and call to make and the reason(s) will be plain & obvious and they’ll have a succession plan in place that will hopefully push us up to the next level whatever that is to & whenever that will be ??? Edited August 23, 2021 by thabucks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted August 23, 2021 Share Posted August 23, 2021 6 hours ago, villalad21 said: I'd like us to finish 10th yes because that's the highest we can hope to finish under this manager with this squad imo. I don't think they can finish any higher. Too many flaws in the squad. I would be happy with Europe but I look at that as a pipe dream per now. So you wouldn't "like" us to finish 7th or 8th? Bear in mind both, while not probably, are actually within the realms of reasonable possibility as opposed to say, finishing top 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jas10 Posted August 24, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 24, 2021 I think we should be patient, this is a transitional period for us after having relied so heavily on one player for so long. It really is a new era for the club… I think it would be best not to have huge expectations and even make bold predictions… let’s just try to enjoy the season and be a bit tolerant of any stumbles… a relaxed outlook would be good for us all… The pressure should be lessened after losing a player (along with his agent) that the club were always having to try and appease… By lowering or keeping expectations in check, it will be even more enjoyable and thrilling if/when we “overperform” or exceed those expectations… It wouldn’t be a terrible season if we finished where we did last season… but we could and hopefully will do even better… (obv hope we do), it all depends on how the team settles and gels and many will be keeping an eye on us to see how we manage without JG. Of course, the owners may have a lot of expectation and there will be a certain degree of pressure on Dean and the players… But we needn’t add to that… let’s just try to enjoy the season, our new players and what is essentially a new team (again, due to the loss of JG) and probably a new style of play… it’s going to take a bit of time for us to hit our groove but Dean and the players have it in them to produce good performances and results… I’m so excited to see how players like Buendia, Bailey and even Sanson perform this season… How Ings and Watkins will link up and perform… The progress of some of our youngsters such as Ramsey and Chukwuemeka… Just a few examples of how much there is to look forward to, maybe we still bring in another player or two also… Just feel it’s best to have a little patience and not get too emotional or worked up… UTV 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 Scored 6 goals in a game without Grealish to be fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icouldtelltheworld Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 After years of struggling in these ties against lower league teams, our record has been mostly excellent in them under Dean. Deserves massive credit for that IMO - got it completely right tonight, just shows the faith he has in our youngsters 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Mings in his interview on villa tv Quote “ of course I’d love it if we got Europe this season but if we’re being realistic about our expectations I think any improvement on last season would be a success” @DCJonah has been in Mings ear ffs. Europe or everybody out! 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 40 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said: Mings in his interview on villa tv @DCJonah has been in Mings ear ffs. Europe or everybody out! That's why he's club captain. That man speaks a lot of sense. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMAICAN-VILLAN Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 18 minutes ago, DCJonah said: That's why he's club captain. That man speaks a lot of sense. I knew you'd like that mate. To be fair, coming from him, will probably help calm fan expectations, and see a certain result as a bonus, instead of an expectation. Then again, we don't necessarily know what their expectations are privately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delphinho123 Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Mings was the obvious choice and I’m glad he has it. He’s been brilliant for us since the moment he signed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheepyvillian Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 On 24/08/2021 at 21:35, villalad21 said: Scored 6 goals in a game without Grealish to be fair. He's gone, get over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vive_La_Villa Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 On 23/08/2021 at 17:58, villalad21 said: I'd like us to finish 10th yes because that's the highest we can hope to finish under this manager with this squad imo. I don't think they can finish any higher. Too many flaws in the squad. I would be happy with Europe but I look at that as a pipe dream per now. When we finished higher than 10th can I remind you of this post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anything11 Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 There are obvious doubts due to the way we played without Grealish. However, we have been climbing the leader board since Dean arrived. In addition, a number of players have significantly improved under his management as well as the quality of play from the squad as a whole. As noted above by our performances in the cups the base level of play from the squad has continued to improve. There is a clear style and formation to what Villa do. I am a fan of Smith and I am also waiting for that marker that he can take the club to the next level (Leicester). I believe this season will tell us a lot as its the most talented squad we have had in quite some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubbs Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 What would be better, playing great football and finishing 10th or playing dull football but finishing higher up the table? Having seen how Dean has set up previous teams I know he can get them to play attractive football but what I've seen so far this season hasn't been great to watch. Having said that if he's still looking to replace 2 people from the coaching staff maybe they'll help with that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalfTimePost Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 1 hour ago, dubbs said: What would be better, playing great football and finishing 10th or playing dull football but finishing higher up the table? Having seen how Dean has set up previous teams I know he can get them to play attractive football but what I've seen so far this season hasn't been great to watch. Having said that if he's still looking to replace 2 people from the coaching staff maybe they'll help with that too. Depends how much higher up I suppose. I'd love us to be playing attractive football more than almost anything after a decade of dross (and even before that really). We've only been exciting to watch for last season and a few years under MoN in my footballing memory so I'd love us to be attacking and attractive on the ball. So, I'd take 10th and great football that can progress than dull football and 6th-9th. 5th I'd debate (gets Europa but I would feel like boring football and additional games next year would drop us into 6th anyway). 4th, I'd take the boring football. Finishing 4th with boring football would mean we are incredibly disciplined or great at counter attacking, it wouldn't be attractive but would probably be still exciting. I'd take that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rightdm00 Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Credit to Dean. The 4-2-3-1 looked much better than it did versus Watford. The 3 Bs (Buendia, Bailey, Bertrand) or Watkins behind Ings is so nasty. Stupid injuries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 With that team, I'm quite happy with that performance and result. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerner's Driver Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 3 minutes ago, DCJonah said: With that team, I'm quite happy with that performance and result. Agreed, it was enjoyable. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post commander Posted August 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 28, 2021 Nah, i'm not having this was OK, it was rubbish. We've now got 1 point from 2 championship teams. It's pathetic. Our aim is europe, and in this context the two resutls are a shambles. we've spent £300m so no this was a far from ok result. 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post commander Posted August 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 28, 2021 if results and performances don't drasticly improve, Smith won't be here come October. 2 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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