TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) Todd Cantwell will be instantly elevated to star man status, ready to unleash his inner-Grealish. Rashica was courted by Smith for two years, they tried to sign him for £20m in summer 2020. Smith will have a plan to incorporate him into his system so that's at least one big ticket signing who won't be written off. Watkins is a player who thrived on through balls like Pukki, he did well for goals under Smith. Then you've got his record of taking Konsa and Watkins to Brentford, and then on to Villa, that's about £4m spent on the pair of them from League One and League Two, now quality Premier League players and one an England International. You've got Grealish going up a level under Smith and then sold for a record transfer fee for a British player (Pep still hasn't got him ticking like Smith has). In signing Ashley Young in the summer he's shown he's not afraid of a blend of youth and experience. And the bloke has never been relegated, so he's not exactly going to be in the mood to stick the first one on his CV this season is he? He's coming here because he thinks he can keep us up, simple, and I think the problem with Farke is very simple.... he didn't believe that he could. Can argue all day about whether Smith is an upgrade or a downgrade on Farke, but if one simply doesn't believe in himself and his players at this level then that is the end of the road. Welcome to Carrow Road Dean Smith. Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Edited November 13, 2021 by TeemuVanBasten 18 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,359 Posted November 13, 2021 One of the first sensible posts I’ve read on here today. Totally understand he’s not everyone’s first choice, not mine either, but he seems like a good man and would probably fit into our club well. He has a decent range of experience, working with youth and has achieved both promotion and premier league safety as well as working with limited budgets in the past. I’d say he’s a sensible option, whether better than Farke or not I think he has the potential to do well here. This doesn’t distract from the fact our squad needs work, I’m still not convinced we’ve got enough quality there, at least not until until we get Cantwell, Rashica and Pukki firing on all cylinders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,830 Posted November 13, 2021 Nil desperandum, I suppose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BurwellCanary 256 Posted November 13, 2021 3 minutes ago, lake district canary said: Nil desperandum, I suppose. noli illegitimi carborundum Lakey 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Bristol Nest 597 Posted November 13, 2021 STERCULINUM PUBLICUM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 1,211 Posted November 13, 2021 Not sure what I make of the appointment yet, but Dean Smith certainly must have guts and belief to come here given our current situation. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 1 minute ago, Ian said: must have guts and belief to come here given our current situation. Exactly, and Farke seems to be massively lack the bit in bold. That's why he had to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nora's Ghost 157 Posted November 13, 2021 He knows he's got the 'self funded model' excuse in the bag from the word go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 5,008 Posted November 13, 2021 I actually think the players will be impressed by this appointment and will be raring to go, especially seeing Shakespeare there too. Not sure Lampard would have had the same impact. Not because they disliked Farke, but they must have been confused by some of the selections and formations this season, especially against Leeds. Rumours of one or two of them not being happy at being frozen out also. A fresh start for all of them plus we still have the winning feeling from the victory at Brentford! It will be a bit strange for the fans not seeing Farke in the dugout, but he spent most of the time sitting down anyway, especially of late. Smith seems to have a bit more presence in that respect. Can't wait for next weekend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,902 Posted November 13, 2021 Is this happening then? The same journos we're saying it was Lampard 2 days ago. I'm beginning to think they make it up... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,955 Posted November 13, 2021 It's still a "meh" from me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, nutty nigel said: Is this happening then? The same journos we're saying it was Lampard 2 days ago. I'm beginning to think they make it up... Usually when it hits the BBC and they don't attribute the news to a third party its true, it did 2 hours ago. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59272851 Edited November 13, 2021 by TeemuVanBasten 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Great Mass Debater 1,202 Posted November 13, 2021 So, had Villa waited a week before deciding to dispense with Smith, who would we actually be appointing? If it's Smith, this is an opportunistic appointment. So what was Webber's masterplan? Cuz it wasnt this. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,610 Posted November 13, 2021 I’m not buzzing about it but he’s a solid option and im looking forward to seeing what he can do with our squad. I think that some people need to move on from Farke and give Smith a fair crack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GodlyOtsemobor 2,830 Posted November 13, 2021 52 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said: Todd Cantwell will be instantly elevated to star man status, ready to unleash his inner-Grealish. Rashica was courted by Smith for two years, they tried to sign him for £20m in summer 2020. Smith will have a plan to incorporate him into his system so that's at least one big ticket signing who won't be written off. Watkins is a player who thrived on through balls like Pukki, he did well for goals under Smith. Then you've got his record of taking Konsa and Watkins to Brentford, and then on to Villa, that's about £4m spent on the pair of them from League One and League Two, now quality Premier League players and one an England International. You've got Grealish going up a level under Smith and then sold for a record transfer fee for a British player (Pep still hasn't got him ticking like Smith has). In signing Ashley Young in the summer he's shown he's not afraid of a blend of youth and experience. And the bloke has never been relegated, so he's not exactly going to be in the mood to stick the first one on his CV this season is he? He's coming here because he thinks he can keep us up, simple, and I think the problem with Farke is very simple.... he didn't believe that he could. Can argue all day about whether Smith is an upgrade or a downgrade on Farke, but if one simply doesn't believe in himself and his players at this level then that is the end of the road. Welcome to Carrow Road Dean Smith. Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! 100% agree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirku 1,358 Posted November 13, 2021 5 minutes ago, The Great Mass Debater said: So, had Villa waited a week before deciding to dispense with Smith, who would we actually be appointing? If it's Smith, this is an opportunistic appointment. So what was Webber's masterplan? Cuz it wasnt this. My thoughts exactly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 9 minutes ago, The Great Mass Debater said: So, had Villa waited a week before deciding to dispense with Smith, who would we actually be appointing? If it's Smith, this is an opportunistic appointment. So what was Webber's masterplan? Cuz it wasnt this. I don't give a f*ck about what Webber's masterplan was, I didn't mention Webber once in my OP. He might not have had a plan, he might just have had a good reason to realise this.... 59 minutes ago, TeemuVanBasten said: but if one simply doesn't believe in himself and his players at this level then that is the end of the road Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
City 2nd 193 Posted November 13, 2021 12 minutes ago, The Great Mass Debater said: So, had Villa waited a week before deciding to dispense with Smith, who would we actually be appointing? If it's Smith, this is an opportunistic appointment. So what was Webber's masterplan? Cuz it wasnt this. Evidence. How do you know what Webber’s plan was. The football ball game changes daily! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christoph Stiepermann 1,261 Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) As noted before Dean Smith has never been relegated and has only been coaching for 2 years less than Farke. Farke managed to get Lippstadt from the 6th tier to the 5th tier and keep them there, but aside from that has followed every other promotion with a relegation and I'm counting this year as well because there is just no way in hell he was keeping us up. it shows that for all his virtues he's not really the man for a relegation dog fight. Part of what maybe appealed to Webber was his record of winning a couple of relegation battles at Walsall and one with Villa. I've questioned the planning behind this hire but I'm actually pretty happy with Smith to be honest. Yes he's had money to spend but he's shown he can avoid relegation before and by playing decent football. I think he's the only good out of work British manager and his assistants are high calibre as well which is a bonus. Edited November 13, 2021 by Christoph Stiepermann 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 10,763 Posted November 13, 2021 I was anti Lampard and anti Smith. Having read up on Smith and educated myself on his managerial career to date, and assuming Shakespeare is to be the assistant, I'm quite optimistic 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
priceyrice 133 Posted November 13, 2021 I have my concerns but 100% ready to get fully behind Smith and the lads. We definitely will make a better shot at staying up with Smith than having stuck with Farke. Most looking forward to seeing more of the attacking players in our starting 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, hogesar said: I was anti Lampard and anti Smith. Having read up on Smith and educated myself on his managerial career to date, and assuming Shakespeare is to be the assistant, I'm quite optimistic Brentford played some really nice football under Smith. No idea what happens from here, but I'd honestly take just going down with a few plaudits for trying to play nice football. Farke had given up on that. I get that he was going back to basics to keep a few clean sheets etc, but we looked so disjointed in the final third and I don't see how we'd ever play good football without an advanced playmaker, its in our DNA. Hoolahan would be perfect in this team to calm things down in the final third bring a bit of composure to the inexperienced players around him, but as he's busy tearing up League One.... arise Todd Cantwell! Edited November 13, 2021 by TeemuVanBasten Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robert N. LiM 6,282 Posted November 13, 2021 Someone said "Better than Lampard and safer than Knutsen." I think that's a fair summary and there's certainly enough in the pros column for Smith to think he might do well. I suppose this is the internet, but I'm surprised by people who are certain it's a bad appointment. All managerial appointments are risks. I think Smith improves our chances of staying up, and is a decent option for the Championship if that's how it pans out. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HoolaOHoolahan 21 Posted November 13, 2021 If Stuart Webbers shortlist was headed up by Frank Lampard and Dean Smith it's a poor show for a Director of Football. If we do get Dean Smith I will get behind him with support but this feels like a backwards step. Underwhelming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inch High aka Inchy.. 417 Posted November 13, 2021 1 hour ago, TeemuVanBasten said: Todd Cantwell will be instantly elevated to star man status, ready to unleash his inner-Grealish. Rashica was courted by Smith for two years, they tried to sign him for £20m in summer 2020. Smith will have a plan to incorporate him into his system so that's at least one big ticket signing who won't be written off. Watkins is a player who thrived on through balls like Pukki, he did well for goals under Smith. Then you've got his record of taking Konsa and Watkins to Brentford, and then on to Villa, that's about £4m spent on the pair of them from League One and League Two, now quality Premier League players and one an England International. You've got Grealish going up a level under Smith and then sold for a record transfer fee for a British player (Pep still hasn't got him ticking like Smith has). In signing Ashley Young in the summer he's shown he's not afraid of a blend of youth and experience. And the bloke has never been relegated, so he's not exactly going to be in the mood to stick the first one on his CV this season is he? He's coming here because he thinks he can keep us up, simple, and I think the problem with Farke is very simple.... he didn't believe that he could. Can argue all day about whether Smith is an upgrade or a downgrade on Farke, but if one simply doesn't believe in himself and his players at this level then that is the end of the road. Welcome to Carrow Road Dean Smith. Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! Deano! I get the feeling that very quickly this post is going to come back and bite you on the ar*e. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Great Mass Debater 1,202 Posted November 13, 2021 27 minutes ago, kirku said: My thoughts exactly I have the words 'we scoured Europe for the best talent, but turns out it was Neil Adams' ringing in my ears. Non-plussed by Smith. If Farke's dismissal was about more than results fair enough (though why give him a 4 year contract) but Im not convinced we've upgraded at all here. Still, Id have Smith over fat Frank 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
essex canary 622 Posted November 13, 2021 Smith is a true footballing professional who has built his reputation through smaller clubs and with knowledge of the English game up to the highest level. Why should anyone doubt him? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeemuVanBasten 3,328 Posted November 13, 2021 2 minutes ago, Inch High aka Inchy.. said: I get the feeling that very quickly this post is going to come back and bite you on the ar*e. If its all paper talk and Dean Smith isn't our new manager then yes. If Dean Smith is our new manager, then lets all hope it doesn't and I'm right. In a week full of public man tantrums about Lampard based on a talksport rumour though, I'll take being a bit embarrassed about being excited about Dean Smith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsefly 5,301 Posted November 13, 2021 37 minutes ago, The Great Mass Debater said: So, had Villa waited a week before deciding to dispense with Smith, who would we actually be appointing? If it's Smith, this is an opportunistic appointment. So what was Webber's masterplan? Cuz it wasnt this. I guess the masterplan was to get in the best manager he could. When Smith became available he quite rightly invited him to interview. Seems that interview convinced him he was the best option. No problems with that. 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 4,272 Posted November 13, 2021 Yeah, being honest and it sinking in I'm starting to see more of the positives, wouldn't go as far as buzzing but not as 'hmph' as I was earlier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites