Smith and Smith

The day after Daniel Farke was fired, Aston Villa also removed their manager, Dean Smith.

Villa had lost five games in a row, the last straw, apparently, a 1-0 defeat away to Southampton.

I knew little of Smith's work, other than he got Villa promoted less than a year after there was a threat of administration after failing to get promoted, the next year getting them promoted, again by the play offs, then staying in the Premier League and thriving.

What is also true is their best player, Jack Greleish, was sold to Citeh for £200 million and replaced by Emi from Norwich.

Norwich were linked, strongly, to Frank Lampard, who has not managed since being fired by Chelsea this year.

Lampard has managed two clubs, Chelsea and Derby, both of which were "renamed" Frank Lampard's Derby/Chelsea. I didn't want any part of that for my club, and once you look as Lampard's record, its really not that good. A slight improvement on the previous season at Derby, and Chelsea, once he left, became European champions, something they dodn't look like when Frank was there.

Apparently, media outlets were briefed that Lampard had been in talks, and wihin a couple of days was to be revealed as manager. Only for that to collapse 24 hours later on Friday.

The reality is that although Norwich talked to Lampard, he was never a good fit, and once Smith became available, he was the focus.

That and the fact Norwich itself made no comments about Lampard, Smith or anyone else, just got on in the background getting a deal done.

This morning Smith was announced as the new manager, with Craig Shakespeare as his deputy, as at Villa, and to be honest, feels more of a fit than Lampard ever would.

Norwich are in dire straites, and are more than likely to go down, but the next four games, starting with a home game against Southampton will be key.

Smith knows Norwich, the squad and its strengths and weaknesses. He might be the less worse option, but I think he is better than that.

It might be futile, but I think the ride could be interesting, and Norwich have shown they are more cunning that eithr Talk Sport or Lampard's media team.

Smith is not the exciting appointment many were hoping for, but excitement is the last thing Norwich needs now. Experience and a cool head, which is what we have now.

Onwards and upwards.