I’m sorry, but you’ll have to forgive me for not wanting to do cartwheels over our winter window business.
Reading around, it seems the word I’ve come across most to describe our dealings is “underwhelmed” and that’s about how I feel.
While the Guilbert signing intrigues me, it’s obvious he’s one for our future plans and that’s fair enough, although I do wonder why we’re signing players for the future, when we need them now, if we’re really going to push on for promotion?
Looking at the rest of the signings, it’s a similar story.
Mings seems our best bet and I like the sound of him, but he’s hardly played in years.
Will he be ready to start tomorrow? I’d be surprised, but we do need to give Chester a rest. The problem I have is that U-23 match fit is not Championship match fit.
Which leads me to Hause, who was supposed to have looked the business in training, but hasn’t been able to oust an injured Chester. What does that say about either the player or what Dean Smith told us?
The minimum for me, is that he’s nowhere near ready.
Kalinic is finding his feet and definitely seems a better goalie than Nyland, although it’s early days.
And then there’s the enigma which is Tom Carroll, who strikes me as a desperation signing when the Fer transfer fell through.
Hopefully he’ll add some more intensity in the middle, compared to Whelan and Jedinak, but I’m not sure exactly what his role will be. Competition for Hourihane, perhaps?
I’m just a bit concerned that Swansea’s fans seem glad that he’s gone, but at least he’s had a few games this season.
Ok, on paper, we’ve rebalanced the side somewhat.
But we all know the game isn’t played on paper and if it was, we wouldn’t be where we are now.
I’m minded to ask how we’ve actually improved a single position and would welcome thoughts on this.
So, all in all, I think we’re pretty much going with what we’ve got, which ultimately won’t be good enough, this season, at least.
So while I don’t think much of our incomings, I think our outgoings are mostly good moves.
Hogan to the Blades is a risky one, but as it was, we were only depleting his value by not playing him.
Yes, he might ultimately cost us promotion, but I’m not convinced. If Sheffield can get him firing, fair enough. At least he’ll retain more value when we do let him go.
Bree, well, while I know some were disappointed over this one, I can’t say I am. He hasn’t yet struck me as anything special and needs games.
And then there’s the kids. Smith hasn’t messed about here. He said we were top heavy and has cleared most of our attack out on loan.
Rightly so, as most of them were never going to get a game and need real minutes in a man’s game. This is the encouraging part for me.
If they do well, they come back and seriously challenge; if not, they get binned.
Bedou, I’m really not bothered about.
And McCormack, well, good riddance.
Anyway, given my views of the academy being a waste of time if the lads are never going to move up, I’m very happy about our outgoings.
So onto tomorrow’s game and I don’t have a clue what to think.
Will Mings go straight in?
Will Carroll play?
Will Reading have an advantage now that they’ve got rid of Bacuna?
I simply don’t know.
But I’m going for a 1-0 win.
Simply because we ought to win this game.
Badger you ask who I would play instead of Whelan Hourihane Taylor or Adomah, that’s my point, Smith has had an opportunity to address one or two of theses positions, instead he has brought in injured, unfit palyers who arguably are not upgrades.
What happened to this new dawn of an international scouting network? It’s gone awfully quiet.
As for being a BN I’ve been going to the Villa since the early 1970’s and had a birthday in the hospital at Villa Park this year, Does that answer your question
Performances against Wigan, Swansea, Hull, Preston, Ipswich and Reading have not been great. Why aren’t theses consideed when judging Smith?
I’m so confused, why it is that Smith gets defended after such a poor run of results and an equally poor transfer window?
You say theses players are Bruce’s, yes I agree the majority are BUT remember Smith has had an opportunity to make changes and Bruce got us to the play offs WITHOUT Tammy.
By the way I’m not suggesting Bruce is the answer his football was boreing and drab. What I’m saying is Perspective. Smith has shown no evidence of being able to develop, progress Villa.
so what fans are saying on here, smith is not good enough to manage aston villa. ??
also 4 months is more than enough time, to make enough sweeping changes to the squad ???
i think badger you need to get a poll running on here. cause if this is the over whelming views.= i need to get me a straight jacket and join in
Nath – I don’t fully agree with Ted as I believe it raises the point that Badger has raised – namely over expectation.
I agree with Ted that we are not (yet) a promotion side and the table doesn’t lie but I don’t accept his criticism of Smith because I think his expectations are unrealistic; nor do I accept that you can just fill all the sides weak(er) positions in the January window as if every other manager / owner is going to fall over themselves to help Villa and we have endless lumps of cash to throw at it. I think Smith did OK in the window.
Smith has to work with the tools he has and, to that extent, he has improved our playing style. Agreed results have been disappointing but I reiterate – how many clubs in the Championship could lose two key players with long term injuries and not be affected – answers please on the back of a postage stamp!
Neither do I accept that without Abraham we would be ‘in the shi*te’. He can only score if chances are created – and we have created boat loads of quality chances since Smith arrived. I believe Kodjia / Hogan would similarly have converted a lot of those – perhaps they might not have missed as many?
Don’t misunderstand me Abraham is an outstanding footballer but sometimes it seems to me that Villa fans actually enjoy wallowing in the Slough of Despond – and I’m probably as guilty as any at times.
Keep challenging our views Ted, it makes for good debate,
totally agree with that hitch
Apart from the players going out the club (mostly on loan) I thought it was a disappointing window apart from Mings who if he stays injury free will plug the hole Tuanzebe left. As for Smith we can’t judge him until next season and a ‘proper’ transfer window. January window is a waste of time IMO. You either get other teams cast offs or you pay way above the market value which we would be stupid to do. The Guilbert signing we can’t have an opinion on till next season! The annoying thing for me are fans with rose tinted glasses who think we have great players and will win 3 or 4 every week. We have 4 good players in Abraham, McGinn, Tuanzebe and Grealish. These players are capable of playing in the premier league. All the others are mid table championship standard and I’m being generous with a few of them. We can blame the previous owners, Di Matteo or Bruce although I think it’s been a combination of all of them. Bruce’s football for the most part was poor and his decision to let Elphick leave with a threadbare defence probably cost him his job. Smith has inherited this and when Tuanzebe got injured things were exaggerated. Smith also began putting players in their favoured positions, such as Tuanzebe and Grealish and until these two got injured we were playing great football. Fact is we have struggled to replace them and results and performances prove that. I trust in Smith and he was my choice but he shouldn’t be blame free when he gets it wrong purely because he’s a Villa fan. For instance his substitutions in the last two games I thought were negative and I can never support playing Whelan unless there are no other fit players. Taylor as well although we don’t have as many options. It’s a results based industry and Smith will need to start improving on this otherwise he will be following Bruce out the door. Sorry for the long post BTW.
Enjoyed it Holte 66, as ive said before time will tell , yes I’ve been a taken back on his selections and substituting, but fed up with people not able to see where all this is going, players have 6 months now to say they are in Villa Park next season.the players you’ve mentiond are in my mind able to hold heads up high, the rest are not Villa players. We’ve not seen yet to make comments on the new signings at this time of the season but give it time.
Cheers Bill. I’m hoping this summer we will start to see our future and not a breeding club for loans and mercenaries. If we can find a couple more McGinns I will be delighted.
HOLTE 66 I agree a fair and articulate view.
Nath it appears you have not seen the word Perspective within my comments?
What are the excuses for not addressing the squad and the poor performances?
As I said where is this international scouting network?
If Smith continues to play Whelan Taylor Hourihane Adomah Villa will struggle and performance will be poor, fans will turn.
You may have forgotten the away fans have already started singing “your not for to wear the shirt”
convenient how fans with rose tinted glasses forget?
Let’s be honest what would happen if Tammy wasn’t available?
I guess we would end up in the bottom quarter of the champ, what would the fans do then?
Smith is currently being saved by Tammy.
Ted, the summer regardless of which league we are in offers a great opportunity to transform the team / squad. With so many older players coming to the end of their contracts, Smith will have plenty of time to plan and build a team to suit his style. I do worry that we won’t have Abraham, Grealish or Tuanzebe next season because I don’t think we will get players of their calibre, unless we do somehow get promoted, then we stand a good chance of keeping them. I hope the new owners are true to their word and see us as a long term project and not do a Lerner and lose interest. On a positive note Smith said that Grealish is running without issues and just awaiting results of scan. Fingers crossed there are no problems.
Tbf Ted, I think we have answered your questions regarding (Smith’s alleged failure to address) your perceived weaknesses within the squad – you are at liberty to disagree but please don’t ignore them.
What you haven’t done is offered your views on what should have happened – should be happening, who Smith should be selecting in the team; be interested to hear that. I also get the sense that Smith wouldn’t have been your choice in the first place?
Smith needed to bring in two players capable of covering and improving defence and DM.
Mings might be one answer but the rest are questionable.
I certainly would not be playing Whelan or Taylor.
Smith’s the manager he needed to resolve this. I don’t have the influence he has.
You ignore the fact fans are already chanting, airing their negative views.
You ignore my comment asking where is this supposed scouting network?
For me Smith and the owners are at fault for not addressing the weak areas.
Don’t forget Villa freed up money when they sent certain loan players back to their parent clubs.
Smith may disagree and actually rate Whelan Taylor and Hourihan if that’s the case Smith will be gone by next season.
You surely can’t argue that Villa’s overall squad is poor?
Ted you don’t really want a manager you want a magic wand. Unfortunately we’re stuck in the real world where successful teams aren’t conjured up overnight. In truth we were a middling Championship team when we were in the Prem and nothing’s changed (yet).
Such negativity has IMHO been a large part of why we haven’t done better in the past. You’re part of the problem and not the solution. At least give the manager the time he needs before before throwing in the towel.
wished i could award this post most. more common sense i like
Ted – I’m not for changing the manager after just four months and I can’t really believe you mean to criticise our new owners who have already invested heavily in the club.
Of course I’m disappointed in our recent run of results and it would be great if we could have acquired top class players in the specific areas you have highlighted in the January window but, to expect that is, to use your own expression, looking at things with rose tinted glasses.
I wan’t at Reading so I can’t comment on what the supporters were singing but Saddened was and he posted how good the support was from the terraces and how brilliantly they got behind the team. I was at the Ipswich match and I didn’t hear any negativity. As for the scouting network, I know as much as you do – as for international we have signed the French right back Guilbert.
Of course I wouldn’t argue the squad is poor but neither do I think it’s as good as some supporters suggest, nor do I think it the best in the Championship.
As Holte points out, the real work has to be in the summer whatever division we are in and I, personally, would be disappointed if the owners decided to change managers again before then,
Ted, I’m pretty sure it takes more than a couple of months to set up a scouting network capable of bringing in desirable playes capable of making a difference.
Also, defence was a bigger priority than defensive midfield, there are still FFP rules to comply to and let’s not forget that perhaps there were no better DM’s available than we currently have.
You sound a little deluded as to what we should be expecting at this stage of the season.
i am not intending to have a go at anybody or single out ppl with different views. i simply just want to understand what fans are wanting and thinking.
ted i have no excuses for the going on at villa under smith. i aired my views and they are ridiculed more than i cared. but i seriously can not damn a manager for his work when we are talking 4 months in the role.
you mentions players they are good players, whelen is a full international player with massive experience. hourihane when he was a barnsley he was aone of the top attacking midfielder in the championship, this season he scored and created goals. he is also a international player. the trouble is the players which are in the squad are mostly bruce type players.
smith tactics is most high energy, which is high pressing a#nd with the ball its high tempo quick passing. basically its not a tactic you wished to play when your career is closing down and your over 30
The bet is on then Badger – may the best man lose 🙂
Would you mind if I donated to the Basement Project – local to where I live and which helps local, vulnerable young people.
Of course, Hitch.
I’m sure it’s a good charity 🙂
Ooh, good debate going on here.
Unfortunately, i have to be up in 5 hours time, so I can’t chip in, just now.
Catch you later lads.
If you’re returning to the UK – have a safe flight mate.
We all like to whinge every now again, but it’s alarming that some fans are turning on Smith already. We will NEVER be successful as a club again, as long as this extreme and disproportionate negativity continues to poison the club, because what that negativity does is pile on pressure that no mount of money will help a human being handle. In other words, it doesn’t matter how much money you pay a man (manager or player), he will crumble under extreme and disproportionate pressure. If that pressure is coming from those whose role it is to SUPPORT, then there is a very serious problem. Unfortunately, the only way to solve that problem is to EJECT those whose ‘anti-support’ continues to poison the atmosphere at VP, and ultimately out chances of future success. The argument that “I pay my money so I can boo if I want” simply isn’t true. Yes, we pay, but why would you pay to damage the club you claim to support?
I am not impressed by recent results either, but let me remind those who are losing their heads that this poor run of form is obviously, based on the facts and stats, a direct result of the absence of Jack Grealish primarily, and to a slightly lesser extent, Axel Tuanzebe. For this obvious reason, Grealish MUST NOT be sold in the summer, UNLESS enough money can be raised from his sale to rebuild the WHOLE SQUAD. £50 million should do it, minimum. I have been critical of him in the past, but the run of results since he got injures is all I need to know.
Also, before he got injured, we navigated 8 of the most difficult fixtures in the league to a point where fans were waxing lyrical about Smith, even when we conceded 5 at home to Forest. (I was critical at that time, so don’t think I’m biased for Smith.) At that time, the only problem was the defense that Smith inherited from Bruce. A superior, or even average defense, would have resulted in at least an extra 5 points from those 8 fixtures, which would have resulted in a magnificent haul of points rather than the decent one we got.
Smith and Terry MUST be given FULL SUPPORT for a FULL SEASON until anyone has a right to make the type of hyperbolic, knee-jerk and frankly, idiotic comments which are currently being made.
Maybe Smith isn’t good enough. Maybe the scouting network is a sham. Maybe we’d be bottom without Tammy. Or maybe, if we stop piling pressure on and start supporting, things will slowly but surely start to change.
Please, if you do not want to support Smith and the players on the pitch, do everyone a favour, including yourselves: do NOT attend Villa Park, unless it’s to watch Rod Stewart in the summer.
UTV
three great posts posted setting me up for a great week,
supporters by definition support the club through hard times. smith has not been here long enough to sort out years of mismanaging. please give him time to return us back to the premiership
FA awaiting referees report before deciding whether to investigate Ming’s alleged ‘stamp’.
Unless they are prevented from doing so by the rules around retrospective charges the FA will act and give him a long ban given that the pressure from the media and social media are such that Ming has already been pronounced guilty whether he is or not.
Just to add one other point – if he’s charged by the FA how does he prove it was an accident?
Is astonishing how an actual perspective can be ridiculed and dismissed.
This is precisely why I posted. Blinkered views do not help to focus on facts.
It’s always said, lose the way fans you lose the support, so when the chants of your not fit to wear the shirt (Wigan)
start surely it’s an indicator.
Theses views manifested themselves following poor substandard displays,
It wanst just Wigan.
Conveniently some seem or choose to forget.
It seems questioning a manager (not calling for the sack) is frowned on, is that because he is possibly a Villa fan?
Debate and points of view are healthy and necessary.
It appears a majority are now accepting this session is a mid to bottom half campaign.
I’m sorry I find that unacceptable because with a couple of key addissions the squad would improve immensely.
How often have fans questioned Whelan Taylor, Hourihan?
Are you seriously saying Smith has not had time to find a Whelan or Taylor replacement?
Remember Smith was already in the championship managing Brentford, Brentford are a forward progressive team always planning for new players to address sales SO that suggests Smith should already have players who can fit into his style identified.
Ted – we are debating the points you raise or trying to 🙂
Just reposting the same points over and over again doesn’t make your views more valid than any other on here.
One example of the problems of the January window – we did everything possible to sign Leroy Fer – I think the majority of fans would see him as an improvement in midfield – Swansea pulled the plug. How many other lined up targets do you think we may have missed out on because their club were unwilling to sell in January?
That’s the point I think you are missing.
Ted I find it interesting that you think that any players that Smith might have in mind for Brentford would immediately slot into a totally different team. Not very realistic.
I think most of us are just saying at least give Smith a summer window before going ballistic with your criticism.
Just an update on the Tyrone Mings situation – now Olivieras wife has called for a lengthy ban – I’m just waiting for the PM to add her call to the FA.
Mings is now found guilty by social media whether it was deliberate or not and the FA will not stand up to that whatever they might privately think.
Get your £20 out Badger 🙂
Think he’s had it Hitch, I read that very same news, he’s being found Gilty on past incidents at the minute, his wife said he knew where his head was and deliberate.
Ah, might have to eat my words – according to Birmingham Live, FA to take no further action.
Maybe their lawyers have advised them that without clear proof they cannot accuse him of foul play etc., etc.
Better go and find my wallet 🙂
Hitchens60 it’s interesting that you choose not to focus on the points I raise in particular away fans already turning.
I agree 4 months is not a long time yet the away support are seeing something, doesn’t this concern you?
The point about players fitting into teams is sort of valid if it refers to a manager who already has his team and a vision, it is however contradictory if you say Smith needs to build his team but he can’t change a team, makes no sense.
Smith as a proven champ manager should already have an awareness of players HE is interested in, he has also had 4 months to address weak areas of the team, he has not achieved this.
Are you suggesting the club admit we are a poor team who will do well to finish mid table?
Maybe that’s the answer, be honest with the fan base and tell us there’s no chance of promotion because the club do not have players capable.
Why can there be perspective?
I can only draw a conclusion from what Smith says and he clearly feels promotion is still achievable. Personally, I don’t, but as I’ve said before that doesn’t mean I’ve given up hope; a point I’ve made before.
On the issue of away support (or fans support generally) I did comment based on my experience and Saddened’s post. Supporters are entitled to air their views and the performance at Wigan was so dire, I’m not surprised they had a go at the players – however I wouldn’t draw the same conclusions as you – but that’s about individual opinion.
Finally, I’m not such a critic of Whelan and Hourihane as others. Whelan is a no frills player that plays to his strengths. I watched him closely against Ipswich and, frankly, he did nothing wrong. Broke up play well and distributed the ball accurately including a couple of good attacking long passes. Similarly I think Hourihane offers more than he’s sometimes given credit for – just my opinion.
Can we improve on them – of course we can – but it doesn’t make them bad players.
All over no charge, thought for one moment he was a gonner, still a player we need for our next games, Hitch your as bad as me I never win always paying out.
I have watched Mings incident in slow motion and normal speed and they look completely different. Normal speed is 100% genuine accident and slow motion without my Villa tinted glasses could look deliberate. I think too many are watching the slow mo and forming their opinion on that, including his missus and Mark Halsey. Also his previous history doesn’t help him. Thankfully there will be no further action and common sense has prevailed.
Agreed Holte but the problem with slow motion is it suggests that Mings had time to adjust his footing – the reality in real time is completely different.
Whatever speed, I didn’t really see any actual intent so pleased that common sense won out – although I don’t think it will be the end of social media comment. Also I suspect Mings is going to have to deal with a lot of the worst side of social media and fan aggression at games – not going to be easy.
You’re right Hitch, the immediate fallout from the decision is crazy but expected. A petition to overturn the decision is already being muted so it will not be going away just yet.
The dangers of slow motion which give a completely distorted view of reality.
I recently went an absolute ball of chalk down our frozen steps. No doubt in slow motion I would have had time to rearrange my feet and grab the railings to save myself 🙂
So Brexit is creeping into footie….if you don’t like the outcome have another vote !!!!…well good…lets get up the 2 petitions – one to get the Grealish incident in the play off final sorted…their bloke banned and Fulham chucked out of Prem with us promoted……who can see this happening…..NO-ONE a at all so lets just get on with it…..this is to all the non Villa snowflakes and not to anyone on here.
Hear, bl**dy Hear. Well said VillaAway.
Told you Slo-mo makes it look a lot worse Hitch.
The decision was never in doubt, to my mind.
Accident, pure and simple.
And Wtf has Oliveira’s missus got to do with the price of fish?
I’ll bet she’s never even kicked a ball.
A bloody petition?
How pathetic!
The FA will not bend to some poxy Facebook job and change their minds.
Rightly so, this time, imo.
That’s why they have old fogeys and not Facebook posters running the show.
Whatever, it’s win-win for us Hitch, as a charity benefits either way.
Click on the Acorns link at the top of the page to find out how to donate 🙂
No need to prove it, as I’ll happily take your word.
Btw, no, I fly back Weds.
It was just a very long day trip. Brilliant, as it happens.
Ted,
Wigan was awful. Simple.
I mentioned the booing in my review, before many others did.
To me it was just a straightforward message that what the fans saw wasn’t good enough.
But in no way do I think they were pointing the finger at Dean Smith.
That said, I do think it was an eye-opener for him and he now knows what he’s up against, in that the pressure of the Villa job will make or break you.
Unfortunately, it’s completely ruined every manager since MON.
Do we really want that for Smith after only a few months?
I genuinely believe that if Smith can’t do it for us, we’ve had it.
For a very long time too, regardless of who comes in.
And it isn’t going to be a Guardiola or Klopp or whoever, with multi millions to spend.
Hence we MUST at least give him a decent chance.
Badger – going to donate to Basement Project if OK with you (as previously indicated) – had a sneezing fit from the dust when I opened my wallet 🙂
I have been supporting Basement for some time as linked to my work in social housing. They do a brilliant job helping local youngsters who are at risk. This is one bet I don’t mind losing on both counts!
Can get their Treaurer to confirm donation if you wish?
Had a look at the Basement Project. Looks like they do some good work so I donated a tenner myself. Don’t forget to tick Gift Aid Hitch
Thanks Pat – that’s really good of you.
No big deal. I feel sorry for young kids these days, when I was young you could get a job anywhere but it’s not so easy nowadays.
Perhaps Badger can adopt it as the News and Views official charity and anyone who goes over the top might make a small donation?