Pack your Baggies, JT
Dhdfkhj sdffddfs sdffdg SMITH BACKS BOSS TERRY AS WEST BROM CIRCLE ‘WROnG TO TROll ROSS’
DEAN SMITH has hit back at the social media trolls who have started sniping at Ross Barkley.
The schemer, on loan from Chelsea, was targeted in the aftermath of Villa’s 4-3 home defeat by Southampton last week.
That came on the back of another disappointing Villa Park showing against Leeds and the midfielder came in for some stick.
But Villa’s boss countered strongly, saying Barkley (right) has been his club’s hardestworking player during their last three matches. He said: “Unfortunately, results bring out flippant responses on social media. You’re always going to get that. The first three games, he’s covered the most distance and done the most high-speed running in the team, so he’s working hard on both aspects of his game.
“The truth is that Ross Barkley is a top Premier League player. You don’t go to Chelsea, win the things he’s won, play the games he’s played, playing for England, scored for England if you are not a top player. He’s settled in immediately. Scored in an unbelievable game against Liverpool, scores the winner against Leicester in the lastminute with a great strike.
“As a team we weren’t good enough against Leeds. I thought it was a scrappy game against Southampton.
But there’s been nothing so far where I can point an accusing finger at Ross. At the training ground he’s been a breath of fresh air. He really wants to work hard. I’ve got nothing but admiration for him.”
DEAN SMITH says it will be up to John Terry if he wants to kick-start his career in frontline management.
Rumours have surfaced that Villa’s assistant boss is on the shortlist to takeover at West Brom if the Baggies decide to axe Slaven Bilic.
Paul, the ex-England skipper’s brother, is on the staff at the Hawthorns, employed as a loans manager.
That link, as well as the success of second-in-command Mikel Arteta at having jumped from Manchester City to Arsenal, has meant there is likely to be others following suit.
And with Terry’s peers Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard already having started their own careers, it appears the clock is ticking.
Asked how Villa would view any approach for Terry’s services, Smith said: “If there was one, we’d go to JT and get his thoughts.
“Then myself, sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Christian Purslow would speak. At the moment, it’s hypothetical – but our first port of call would be JT himself.
“He’s taken the route to become a coach first, to learn as much as he can from myself, Richard O’Kelly and now Craig Shakespeare.
“Obviously, there’s a number of people who he’s played with and against who have taken that step. Mikel Arteta is one.
“Eventually, he will be a manager. I have no doubt about that. Personally, I’m very happy he’s working with us.”
Terry arrived at Villa Park as a rookie coach. He received some criticism as Villa shipped goals last season but after lockdown their defence tightened considerably.
Smith has said that was down to significant work being undertaken on the training ground where Terry does have input.
He added: “JT has improved unbelievably well. From the moment he’s come into the building, he’s shown a desire to get better.
“He’s taken that from his days as a player and he’s now brought it into his coaching. I’m very happy he’s working with us. He’s been very good.
“The amount of detail he has given the defenders has helped them improve individually and collectively. He’s progressing really well.
“I’ve always said – and I’ve been open with him on this – in the future he sees himself as a manager. I want him to see himself like that. I have no doubts he will become one. When and where, however, I don’t know.”
Villa head to Arsenal mindful of the changes that Arteta has made, although they defeated the Gunners’ 1-0 just four months ago in a victory that proved decisive in their survival fight. Smith said: “Arsenal were a team in transition but Mikel’s getting his ideas across very quickly.
“We have to make sure we try to negate the great offensive traits they’ve got but also press them when we can.
“We played well against them last season, scored a good goal and defended really well and restricted them. I don’t think they had a shot on target. I’d take that again on Sunday.”