Smith, so we're just swapping one struggling manager, with another one. Doesnt really give me hope, of course if he comes, I will support him. It's just an uninspiring appointment.
Dunno why the massive negativity. The only way we will know the club have ballsed this up is if we get to 20 November and no manager installed. As it is, it seems much more likely that they had a shortlist, Lampard was one of them, they carefully assessed each option, Lampard was ruled out (and fancied blurting to the Press that he pulled out, but it could well be mutual) and they are now down to their preferred candidate and just finalising the details while allowing him to enjoy his break in New York. As I said as soon as he was fired by Villa, he was my preferred candidate, so if the Board have appointed it by 20 November I think they will have played it calmly and professionally and it all makes perfect sense. As Dunc said, we’ve been privileged to have some managers plucked from obscurity who have smashed it in the Championship. But they both failed to do so in the Premier League. So maybe we need a gritty Brit who has experienced a relegation battle. (And maybe Brexit hasn’t helped…)
'As Dunc said, we’ve been privileged to have some managers plucked from obscurity who have smashed it in the Premier League' Huh, which ones ? Walker & Lambert?
Probably gone for the safe option, doesn't make that much sense to me, though. But I just think without Jack Grealish, he may not be that good of a manager, even when Grealish was injured last season, their form dipped. But who knows, I'll be happy to eat my words, if comes in, and do well.
Pedro Martins - we have signed two from Olympiakos so might as well get the manager as well. (I actually think he would be good looking at his record)
It’s a completely fair point, but for me all of the managers have some risk and that’s pretty much the only negative with Smith. He’s got Premier League experience, he knows the relegation battle, good football style even then. One other thing: he has a point to prove to his old club… what a challenge to finish above them?
Smith offered Norwich job with announcement expected soon https://www.football365.com/news/smith-offered-norwich-job-with-announcement-expected-soon
I'll get behind whoever we appoint but I don't see Smith as an upgrade on Farke He did well at Brentford without getting them up and had a pretty massive war chest at Villa and Grealish. He won't have a massive cash injection and will be dealing with loan signings that will leave if we fail to stay up as well as a few big egos like Tod dnd and Billy that will throw a tantrum and demand to leave if they don't play. . He did get a few great results last season like thrashing Liverpool but I think Farke would have done better with their squad including Grealish. The one advantage he has over Lampard is that Lampard probably wanted Webber to sanction some new players in January but Smith will be more likely to accept we spent the lot already and will only recruit if we sell . There is a massive risk hiring a multimillion member of footballing aristocracy when you are little old Norj. I can see Frank turning round to Webber saying " Do you know who I am ? ". Webber has to be the boss or the whole thing collapses especially as it's Webber hiring the new players. If the £60m we spent plus more commited to if we stay up turn out to be duds it's his fault and sacking Farke diverts the blame away from himself.
Also, I just think with the squad he had with Villa, who I think is a lot better than our lot, can he really do any better with us? He couldn't get the best out of Buendia as well. I know I'm being a bit down, and negative, I just don't see this as an improvement, or the 'next step' and it was definitely not in the plans, when they sacked Farke. But, I guess like you say, any manager is a risk, you never really know how they will do, until given a chance. Like I said before, I will back him, if he is our new manager.
I wonder if Smith will have some dosh to spend in January? Cantwell could possibly stay now as he is more likely to be in the starting XI. What is Smiths favoured formation?
I don’t agree Villa’s squad was that much better than ours - don’t forget it finished low/mid table in the Championship! Yes they’ve bought in expensive players since, but it takes several years of that to transform a club. But I still don’t disagree with you because all personnel changes have risk. Even hiring Guardiola would carry risk. Also I would have preferred Farke to stay. I think he would have been the best option. But we are where we are now he’s been fired… and have to make the best of the talent available. And for me, Smith offered the lowest risk (still a risk) of the managers on the table from Press rumours. Plus not only do we need to think about this season but also if we get relegated how we get back up… And I think we’d all agree by the end of the season if we’d been relegated under Farke we would be pretty happy to have Dean Smith at the helm in the Championship! But let’s not count our chickens, he’s not our manager yet as far as I know…
