With the vast majority of Aston Villa fans behind the appointment of head coach Dean Smith as he made the move last on Wednesday night from Brentford after near three years at Griffin Park, I thought I’d take a look at what his former fans were saying of his switch.
Brentford are a fanbase like every other club in the country and he has now marked his card with a number of them who can’t get their head around the move given our form so far this year, and their own form – Brentford sit in seventh place in the table and once again harbour Play-Off ambitions as they have come pretty close under Smith in recent seasons.
There are many more, as much as you can judge a majority from social media in fairness, who fully get the reasons behind his switch – his support of the club, obviously an increase in wages, getting to work with a presumed greater quality of player, not least (upon promotion) the kind of war chest that would be available with an easing of Financial Fair Play pressures and the added freedom the size of our supporter base brings compared to their own.
I think there are a number of positives to take from those fans who understand the switch.
I'm sorry Dean is leaving us and wish him all success at Villa. He has been great for us. Onwards and upwards though – the Bees will still thrive, I'm sure of that!
— 81Beesfan (@81beesfan) 10 October 2018
He deserves this opportunity. Along with his staff, he's created the best Brentford squad I've ever known. I'm sure @matthew_benham has a plan in place. ????????
— Baker (@mrmrbaker) 10 October 2018
Club he supports, way more money, closer to home. No reason why he wouldn't.
— All About Brentford (@allaboutthebees) 10 October 2018
Such a pity… has been great for the Bees and Villa are very fortunate to have him. Can’t really blame Deano but I hope he gets the same support from the club/owner as he did with us. Thx Deano… we shall move onto our own next chapter!!
— Irish Bees (@IrishBees) 10 October 2018
Sorry to see Dean leave us, he’s done very well and goes with best wishes and many thanks. A wonderful job opportunity has just opened for a new head coach in West London, to work with the most forward looking club in the EFL. Exciting times ahead.
— Barry Mell (@Tenterdenbee) 10 October 2018
Good luck Dean. Solid job done at Brentford. Something that @matthew_benham would have planned for I’d imagine. #COYB
— William Seabrook (@wseabrook) 10 October 2018
Anyone who thinks Smith would stay with us to simply finish the job is naive and doesn't know a lot about football. Sorry to see him go but once he was offered the job it was inevitable.
— ray o'looney (@rayolooney) 10 October 2018
How refreshing that Villa have turned to Dean Smith instead of a "star name ". Feel sorry for Brentford fans let's hope they don't lose that front foot approach that Dean preaches. This excellent coach fully deserves the step up to the club he supported as a boy.
— kevin keatings (@_keatings) 11 October 2018
Sad news, but when the club you support as a boy comes knocking it’s hard to say no. Massive thanks to dean for all the excellent football over the past few years – it’s been a joy to watch. Best of luck to him and his family with the move.
— Stanley Flatts (@stanley_flatts) 11 October 2018
Since being better introduced to Twitter, one thing it is good for is giving a general impression on the kind of quality you are getting when moves happen – those with good words to say speak for themselves, but also sometimes even the more negative comments betray a sense of begrudging loss and in the moment hurt and anger that’s not a true reflection, and having scanned a few posts, there are definitely some fans who see him as no loss and maybe even a benefit for them down the line – but they are in the minority and that should only mean good things for us.