The College Dropout

No im saying it as a matter of fact. But I don’t think the system works without at least one top athlete in midfield. Howe needs to change the system. I don’t think adaptability is a strength of Howe.

We have the worst defence in the league by nearly any metric since the Joelinton injury. Again, if he doesn’t find an answer he will be under serious pressure.

Truthfully nobody knows the temperament of Saudi, Staveley and co. when facing setbacks. Noise in the summer was that we needed European football next season as a minimum target. I strongly believe he’ll be under pressure if we don’t achieve it. I think several football people in the hierarchy will be under pressure if we don’t achieve it. They could perhaps scapegoat Ashworth. Again nobody knows the temperament of leadership to setbacks so I don’t know how you can say with confidence that he will not be under pressure. We’ll see.

With Eales publicly targeting Europe as a goal in Jan, if he doesmt achieve it he will be under pressure and it may even cost him His job.

Didn’t watch the game today. And I like him overall. But his lack of physicality in our system makes him a weakness. Not sure of his ceiling tbh

Could try having Bruno and Longstaff both sitting. Or something else. This doesn’t work.

Miley’s not ready. He’s a passenger a lot of the time. If he was 24 years old £15m signing I would be disappointed. Given his age and experience he’s done a commendable job. But he’s also a weak link.

Why didn't you wait until tomorrow?

Agreed.

Tbf he was knackered when he got injured. I mentioned it before - he needs to Wenger RVP treatment. If he looks tired, sub him. If he's jaded - rest him. Otherwise he will literally break down.

I'm planning to roll. I don't like Dubs in goal but I fancy us for a jammy clean sheet. Can't get to KDB, I like Toney but happy with my 3 for now. Those are the scary players. The rest all seem a bit punty.

Compare the tone to even selling ASM - very different. This is what you get when you spend several hours a day on a NUFC forum.. analysis of tone

It backs up everybody's points (both positive and negative)... just with data.

https://x.com/Edit_Kev/status/1758501634869514732?s=20 No idea where to put this but a good read

I think he's less diplomatic here than usual. He's one to lie or be evasive in press conferences. But this was pretty straight down the line for Howe

There were rumours of tensions between the two - or did I make that up?

You can let your assistant ro other staff do pretty much everything. You choose what you want to do

Rather limit the number of over 23's on the books at the elite level.

Then I stand corrected. Cheers.

Can't play in pre-season but can train

In truth - I think both have been under utilised by Howe for various reasons. It seems he’s not a massive fan of either. At the beginning of summer we had a squad that lacked both quality and depth. We needed to add both when we have limited FFP headroom for a squad to compete this season. We then committed 40% of our spend on 2 players that barely play. Thats damn near Kudus and Van De Ven money. Livramento has been largely excellent. There’s just frustration that he’s not used enough. Hall has struggled a bit and this always looked a weird transfer. But I didn’t expect him to end up being 4th choice LB. For the money supposedly committed you would think we could sign a player to start ahead of Burn. Im confident Livramento comes good and there’s plenty of time for Hall to come good. But I think there was misalignment in the window. Leadership is in a tough spot. I don’t want us to only sign Howe style players. But we can’t afford for him to just not play certain signings. To me it looks like Howe never wanted those boys for this season. I think similar happens at spurs. Management buys players. Conte didn’t care for like Bissouma

Seems to be crucial for FFP.

Isn't it also that our #1 is too unreliable? We need more quality from our wingers - I agree. Gordon is perfectly fine back-up mind.

Brentford are smarter than that.. I think

I was one of them. This is pure hindsight. At the time, keeping him was the right decision.