23 Oct 2021 12:02:26
The morning after the night before.
A few people on this site and others, are calling for Smith's head, maybe more than a few now to be fair. I understand the feelings and honestly share their concerns.
I am trying to be level headed with our current situation.
Is it a blip? Has this been coming for a while? Are we in a relegation battle now? If we win the next 2 we will be upper mid table, is that good enough?
I'm thinking, if it were my money how quickly would I expect relative success? 3 years, 4, 5?
Our 5 year plan had to be a Premier league club that by the end of the 5 years was doing more than just survive. A club that was pushing for a top half finish.
Have we become greedy, wanting success, measured by a top 6 place?
We need to be realistic about our place.
My question is, if it were my money, would I be looking to pull the trigger on Smith's tenure? Honestly, I don't know.
One thing is for sure we need to get behind the team and manager for the next 3 games at least. By then we will have more certainty where our season is heading.
I am going to support my club, the players and the manager and do my bit to try and get us where we all surely want to be.
UTV.

1.) 23 Oct 2021
23 Oct 2021 14:29:20
My biggest frustration Trinity is we seem to be forcing square pegs into round holes from a squad perspective and this is killing us.

I'm sure most people (regardless of club alligences) would admit that this is a very strong Aston Villa squad but Smith's persistence in crowbarring them into the starting 11 at the expense of balance is mind boggling - This for me is the way forward.


Martinez

Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett

McGinn, Luiz, Sanson

Buendia, Watkins, Bailey


And then look at the options we have off the bench:

Steer

XXXXX, Tuanzebe, Hause, Young

Ramsey, Marvelous, Chukwumeka

Traore, Ings, El Ghazi


I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to see progress on last season's 11th place finish, there is some very good squad depth there, the system or the inflexibility in system is what's hurting us - Smith has some massive decisions to make otherwise I genuinely fear for his position.

2.) 23 Oct 2021
23 Oct 2021 14:37:12
Trinity excellent post. I have always refrained from the sack Smith rhetoric but even I am wondering if he's really up to it. We have become too predictable and are missing a lot 8n midfield. I know ill get battered for this but for me Luiz and mcginn are so far off it they're embarrassing. I know people on here have called for an enforcer, which I do not disagree with, however he won't do three peoples jobs. Luiz does nothing for me and mcginn runs about a lot but produces very little. They are never in acres of space a dictating the game, they are always next to their opponent doing little battles, and losing them. Ollie needs dropping, he's also well off it, as Harry Rednapp said my missus could have scored that on the miss at the end. Ill always back the boys but will also have my say if things aren't right. UTV.

3.) 23 Oct 2021
23 Oct 2021 15:21:24
BK, absolutely nothing wrong wanting progression, in fact it’s what every fan of every club wants. I guess my point is progress is measured differently by every single one of us.
Finishing 10th could be seen as progress but if it was by scoring fewer points and winning fewer games would that mean progress?
Ultimately finishing in the top 6 then four and maintaining that level for several years has to be the aim. But how long does it take and are we prepared for some downs along the way?

4.) 23 Oct 2021
23 Oct 2021 16:13:21
I think Europe has to be the aim by the end of next season - Losing Grealish has derailed any genuine chance of Europe this season IMO but the bare minimum with this squad has to be a top 10 finish Trinity. Agree that some fans measure progress differently so I can only speak for myself, if you offered me 10th and a genuine FA Cup challenge now I'd take it, but I wouldn't accept the next season given what will most likely be another summer of investment from our owners.