Dean Smith

[DaveAV1]

3 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

Have we had network since O'Neill left and Smith arrived?

Going by 3/4 of the shite we've signed in that time I assume we havn't.

Sadly it goes back further than that Andy. Who could forget Djemba Djemba a player so bad they named him twice? And who was that Croatian, I think he was, who cost us something like £500k per game he played? I think he was another David “they’re an honest bunch of lads” O’Leary signing. Of course MON was far from blameless, I’m sure we could all make a long list of his recruitments and probably equally, if not more significant, departures that were absolutely disastrous. 

[macandally]

18 hours ago, Dave-R said:

As much as i hate to bring wolves into this, they have severely improved in every way, it took them along time to get to the state they are inz all while it also took along time to get to the state were in. The difference is wolves players go out there and give it there all, they are ambitous at the moment and are steam rolling the premiere for a second season up there. Our team compared to most is like a bunch of empty battery that won't or can't recharge, our players need to liven themselves up more they look dead most of the time compared to other teams.

I think with so many contracts possibly going up in smoke, things are that unsettled, maybe to settle things more get round all these players and tell them what is going to happen with them, it's probably the uncertainty that's driving them nuts. personally I only want to see grealish and Mcginn next season out of our lot we have, but no doubt some contracts will be lengthened to keep personal has high as possible until they can be traded away. The sad thing is apart from Mcginn and Grealish the only other two who mite bring a fee would be kodjia and Adomah. Id be very surprised if we get anything close to what we paid for hogan, shot ourselves in the foot with that signing. No one is going to want any of our lousy defenders from this league or above and our midfield, the only ones who mite fetch abit is bjarnason,hourihane a d that won't be much. It is a sorry state of affairs that back in the 90s we expected our players to go for a few million and if lucky more, but in this day we can't even get next to most for most of our squad. It makes me sad to see we have that many players who see little worth in themselves that they know time is up soon for them yet they don't seem to want to play there hearts out for our club, even if its to raise there own worth so other clubs mite buy them if they are put up for sale would be something.

I am with Smith all the way, I'm prepared to give him as many seasons as it takes a I am fed up with sacking managers only to repeat this same crap over and over. Yes some managers deserve to go because they could not get the job done,  but I'm prepared under Smith to give him fiver years if needed to get this rite.

Give Smith the players he needs to overwrite this team and stop getting on his back, it's ridiculous because it's our players who can't complete there duties. Bringing in 10 managers or more with these players of ours will yield the same results where they go on a run then completely mess up. Idont think there is any getting these players of ours to do a run away with the league title, I just get bad vibes from our squad it needs erasing and rebooting I think and Smith needs time to be wble to get a new team together..

This pretty much nails it, we live in a culture where people expect instant gratification with next to zero patience.  The reason we are where we are is knee jerk reactions with no long term plan, I believe we now have the opportunity to change that.

We have a good team across the management structure, a good youth set up and a load of dross whose contracts run out at the end of the season.  Smith wants to play a high tempo, high pressing game which demands fitness, pace and energy.  At the moment he is trying to do that with Bruce’s group of 30 something journeymen, it was always going to be a problem.

Next year we could have a young and hungry team of players capable of playing the Smith way, with pace and purpose.  Our job is simple, have a little patience, get behind that team and stop making Villa Park a cauldron of hate for our own players when things do not go to plan.  Let’s create an environment where that young team can flourish and try new things, rather than a poisonous environment where they want rid of the ball as quickly as possible.

[AvfcRigo82]

4 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Sadly it goes back further than that Andy. Who could forget Djemba Djemba a player so bad they named him twice? And who was that Croatian, I think he was, who cost us something like £500k per game he played? I think he was another David “they’re an honest bunch of lads” O’Leary signing. Of course MON was far from blameless, I’m sure we could all make a long list of his recruitments and probably equally, if not more significant, departures that were absolutely disastrous. 

Valcav Drobney

..and another of his relentless pursuits in Mathieu Berson, who only played around 10 or so games for us.

Carlton Cole being amongst the worst.

[kiltorken]

6 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

Valcav Drobney 

I think he died a few years ago in skiing accident. Poor chap. 

[DaveAV1]

12 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

Valcav Drobney

..and another of his relentless pursuits in Mathieu Berson, who only played around 10 or so games for us.

Carlton Cole being amongst the worst.

Stop it I’m reaching for the bottle!

[Guest av1]

25 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Sadly it goes back further than that Andy. Who could forget Djemba Djemba a player so bad they named him twice? And who was that Croatian, I think he was, who cost us something like £500k per game he played? I think he was another David “they’re an honest bunch of lads” O’Leary signing. Of course MON was far from blameless, I’m sure we could all make a long list of his recruitments and probably equally, if not more significant, departures that were absolutely disastrous. 

Bosko Balaban?

[AvfcRigo82]

Just now, av1 said:

Bosko Balaban?

That was the £6m signing from the John Gregory years

[kiltorken]

20 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

and another of his relentless pursuits in Mathieu Berson, who only played around 10 or so games for us.

I was so disappointed he never made it, really had high hopes for that fella. I'd say most of those 10 games were only short cameos from the bench as well. 

[Guest av1]

10 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

That was the £6m signing from the John Gregory years

Back when £6m was a fair old chunk of money. 

[Reivax_Villa]

I think it is a time to be patient.

I am happy that we are going for this young and hungry approach now.

If we look at the under 23's they play some very good football. I think one of the few factors is because they are coachable, eager to learn and hungry.

We lack that in our squad, our better players are the younger ones.

Who remembers that away victory at Anfield in 2012?

This was the team that took all three points.

 

6 of those players came from our Academy and there is not one 30 year old in that starting 11. The issue that we had was a lack of quality and depth however that team kept us up that season.

That back four was under 25..  Nathan Baker 19,  Ciaran Clark 21/22,  Eric Lichaj 22 & Matt Lowton 22.

I just feel that younger players have more energy and enthusiasm to win and develop.

I feel that it has to be a priority to build from our Academy and sign more younger players across that park.

I am looking forward to a rebuild that is done properly this time. 

Edited January 21, 2019 by Reivax_Villa

[ciggiesnbeer]

 

Never gonna miss an excuse to post that goal again. 

[Tommo_b]

16 minutes ago, Reivax_Villa said:

I think it is a time to be patient.

I am happy that we are going for this young and hungry approach now.

If we look at the under 23's they play some very good football. I think one of the few factors is because they are coachable, eager to learn and hungry.

We lack that in our squad, our better players are the younger ones.

Who remembers that away victory at Anfield in 2012?

This was the team that took all three points.

 

6 of those players came from our Academy the rest of that team and not one 30 year old in that starting 11. The issue that we had was a lack of quality and depth however that team kept us up that season.

That back four was under 25..  Nathan Baker 19,  Ciaran Clark 21/22,  Eric Lichaj 22 & Matt Lowton 22.

I just feel that younger players have more energy and enthusiasm to win and develop.

I feel that it has to be a priority to build from our Academy and sign more younger players across that park.

I am looking forward to a rebuild that is done properly this time. 

Christ that was a truly awful first team? Bar Benteke I think our current team is better.

Lambert really was hung out to dry by Lerner, I know many disagree but Lambert did pretty well with what he had.

[Reivax_Villa]

10 minutes ago, Tommo_b said:

Christ that was a truly awful first team? Bar Benteke I think our current team is better.

Lambert really was hung out to dry by Lerner, I know many disagree but Lambert did pretty well with what he had.

I think that he proved that it was less about big names and more about hard work and application.

[praisedmambo]

13 minutes ago, Tommo_b said:

Christ that was a truly awful first team? Bar Benteke I think our current team is better.

Lambert really was hung out to dry by Lerner, I know many disagree but Lambert did pretty well with what he had.

I agreed at the time and I agree now. We had some fans turn viciously against him even though he was completely screwed by Lerner. We should be more patient with (some of) our managers.

[Demitri_C]

I've suspected that there are some bad apples in the squad and  I have been told there are some.nkt surprisingly really.

I have to say despite the farce of bruce he did know how to build team morale. I remember when we beat Sheffield United 1-0 At brammal lane last year. That celebration showed a United front.havent Seen that that much this year.

I think Snodgrass a s Terry really were the glue last year. Big loss both of them.

 

 

[DaveAV1]

1 hour ago, av1 said:

Bosko Balaban?

That’s the fella!

[Gravillahope]

3 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

I've suspected that there are some bad apples in the squad and  I have been told there are some.nkt surprisingly really.

I have to say despite the farce of bruce he did know how to build team morale. I remember when we beat Sheffield United 1-0 At brammal lane last year. That celebration showed a United front.havent Seen that that much this year.

I think Snodgrass a s Terry really were the glue last year. Big loss both of them.

 

 

I loved and really miss the togetherness that we had last season. Some of our wins and performances were solely down to that team spirit and togetherness. Even when things weren't going our way we still had hope and optimism because of it. 

[honest_bertie]

This time last year Norwich fans were calling for Daniel Farke’s head. Here’s hoping we as fans will reaping the reward for patience next season. Signs look like we are beginning to get things in order, here’s hoping so. UTV

[macandally]

56 minutes ago, praisedmambo said:

I agreed at the time and I agree now. We had some fans turn viciously against him even though he was completely screwed by Lerner. We should be more patient with (some of) our managers.

Let’s face it, we ruined his career.  Just hope we do not do the same to Smith

[TRO]

2 hours ago, DaveAV1 said:

You’re right, the team doesn’t necessarily have to be entirely made up of youngsters, but they still have to have desire regardless of their age. JT would be a good example, he wanted to win every match he ever played in and it mattered to him regardless of what he’d already won.

Gareth Barry....has done well too.

...lets see what Ashley Cole does at Derby

Its more about the right character of player is so important, It comes down to research and due diligence.