toontownman

He was also playing week in week out for Brentord wasnt he? The lack of pre-season and injury has fucked things. Hard to get into any type of decent form with new teammates not playing in a system that knows how to score or set up goals, all when he plays 60 mins one match then 30, then. I was still hoping for way more from him though.

Its in our hands, just about. I just haven't seen that type of dominance and class from our squad yet. Today's performance from Nobbs has been most lacking. Hopefully all players buck the trend.

Moving SBR wasn't the wrong decision. The manner they did it and the person they replaced him with absolutely were. SBR should have moved upstairs and been involved in his successor. Approached the right way with planning that might have been Mourinho. Although he was appointed at Chelsea a couple of months prior to SBR being sacked. No way SBR would have give his blessing to hiring Souness though. Fast forward to now. Moving Howe out if things don't improve might not also be the wrong thing but that is all dependent on hiring the right successor. It can't be a gamble and must be an informed and clearly ambitious decision. Either way its a risk.

Massive win. Hopefully not too late and we can still push on

What is our defence doing for that goal. They stop and let her through.

In general if your club didn't win it no one is going to give a shit or remember who won the cups, Carabou cup especially. I dont even remember it year to year sometimes lol. Thats why we have the history books and its in writing! Media coverage has changed alot of things and what will dictate peoples opinions in the future. As time goes on and the pundits age out, the entertainers are going to slowly get lost to time. The archive footage however might keep it a little alive. In general no one outside of Newcastle cares about Newcastle unless it directly effects them or in terms of the entertainers I would say outside of those that experienced it at the time, its relevance will slip away every year. So many different variables to compare Keegan and Howe's impact. The game is so different, the competition up at the top is different. Only thing that will ever really count to the majority looking back is the success in terms of trophies.

Think you are right but also hard to tell when they don't even "nearly get a run of games" consistently. Its what both clearly need. I think we all know that with Willock. Thats been his conundrum (outside multiple injuries - also a Ramsey complaint). At their best and fit they can be huge for us. We just don't have the time and points to sacrifice with their inevitable mediocre performances that happen getting them up to speed. Its where I miss the old days of first team players playing in the reserves to get match fitness. Everything is so overloaded fixtures and highs takes wise, whether thats avoiding injury or not taking time away from youth players that also need it.

Fucking love the guy. Absolutely ooting for him. We all are. Heartbreaking to watch this in slow motion but career changing if he can fix it. If he can turn it around that might renew my hope he can take us further than I think he can at present. He has to, or he wont be here next season.

It is absolutely set up for a new coach to come in at seasons end. For the board it is down to Eddie to prove himself all over again. Get the team back into Europe or win a cup or he is gone. A side question is how long until Eddie gets tired of that scenario and walks? If he doesn't there is a fair amount of money to spend. Lots of older players out of contract and possibly more money if the manager (new or old) sells the likes of Tonali/Tino/Gordon etc. There is a huge squad makeover coming in the summer either way. Shame its a WC year to get in the way.

I think the chances of Mourinho succeeding here are far lower than him failing. It seems almost like a laughable appointment at this stage of his career. He does obviously still bring some upsides though. I doubt there is anyone on here that doesnt secretly have a small part of them that would love to see him come here and succeed. - He will be respected and has a proven record of winning. - He will still be a draw for players - He does have a connection to the club and will probably want this more than some other positions he has taken. - He will likely play football our fanbase craves. Downsides - Seems 10 years too late - Falls out with everyone, could see this with players, fans and higher brass when the board are slow at communicating. I think he would be about the same risk level as a Glasner, Maresca or Iraola. Very few managers come without risks though.

With the amount spent and quality in the squad finishing lower than top 8 is a bust. Barring a cup win. The club is a different animal to pre-takeover. Infinitely for the better. The expectations are rightly higher. Probably better to ask what is non negotiable to retain that Eddie brings to the table in a new hire, as much as what is needed as a step up from Eddie to push us further forward. My biggest fear is losing the culture of community, harmony and professionalism off pitch that Eddie and his team have brought. We are all getting painfully aware of Eddie's short comings and where we can improve, and have to improve. Ultimately we dont want to become like many a PL club that is yo-yo-ing between multiple managers treading water. I honestly think if we stick with Eddie we wont be miles of that top 4-8 every year. I just don't believe we will push on higher. The club has said it wants to win the league by 2030. So if we switch it has to be for someone players/fans see as a step up but more importantly someone that gets the club and culture. Who is out there that ticks those boxes. In football sometimes its just right person right place, regardless of hype and reputation. I just think the heartbreak of Eddie going (even if we know its necessary) means we have to get someone that gets us and isnt jarring, or he wont get a chance here and its game of thrones like spurs and chelsea.

So he turned us down, not convinced by the people running the project.

You are not wrong. Benitez chose us when we were far worse. However lots has also changed. Howe wasn't a top level appointment ans Emery turned us down, not convinced by the project. Back then PSR didn't crush all hope, owners were vocal and unquestioned in their support of the project. Everything was positive. Ultimately the project is still an easy sell if sold right. It's more about which top managers are out there and a right fit vs other top 6 sides also being in the market for a top manager. 4 out of the "big 6" could replace their manager this summer. Im just a bit out of touch with who out there would be considered a top level, huge step up appointment. That will be needed to convince players to come in the summer and more importantly stay.

Just looked at the table. Ridiculous to think it... but.. We have got to click again soon, right, surely?

Tongue in cheek? Can't really stand behind that when we looked just as bad when fixtures weren't congested. We knew this was coming, we were vocal about both knowing it was coming and how it hurt us last time in the CL. We were vocal about addressing that in the summer window. He and the coaching team has had plenty of time on the training field and around the players.

They have all game to be fair. (Other than a brief flirt with attacking confidence in the second half) Could say that about 90% of teams we have played this season. We are blunt in attack and a shambles at the back.

Soo flat. Crowd have given up after watching everyone in black and white do the same.

Do we think we will get a top manager in if Eddie goes? If its not an absolute winner of an appointment I don't know that it works. Glasner and Maresca seem like the type we would end up with and I think they are both huge risks of being a bust. Lots of potential clubs changing too. On the upside it is looking increasingly like Carrick might have to be hired at Manure. Could see Pep staying still and us entering into negotiations with Simeone. Then Liverpool hearing about it dumping Slot and hiring Simeone instead.

Quite the decline. Reminds me of Carr. Tripps has just fallen off a cliff.

Perfect. Plenty of time for us to concede a fourth then.

Fucking fuck fuck fuck.

Gahhhhh Come on lads. More urgency

He is slower than we need but we simply haven't played a system or style to get the best out of him. We have seen how good he can be. We need to be more direct. This system change has been positive so far this half.

THATS A PEN FFS NAILED ON oh ok. Backs down and sits back on couch grumpy in shame.

Elanga looks up for it. Good to see and fingers crossed he gets a break. Lively so far.