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I think it's very hard to assess any of Robson's failings without factoring in the dogshit management and undermining behaviour of the board for much of his time here.

Regardless of how good he is (I'm a supporter), I do think there's a solid chance he goes this summer. If we've got big moves in mind like Cunha. Really it's that or doubling down and extending his contract.

Down to +6 after Villa, but that's a satisfactory run for me. We got 4 points from 12 in the equivalents of our last 4 fixtures of the season: Brighton (a) - 3-1 loss Chelsea (h) - 4-1 win Arsenal (a) - 4-1 loss Everton (h) - 1-1 draw Every one of them is winnable this season. I think 9 points is a realistic hope.

Today "could be a turning point in his career", according to Eddie. Sounds like we'll start to see a bit more of him...

To be fair, I went back and watched his post match interview on the website after what he said about it in the press conference, and he held up very well. Would never have guessed he was gonna be heading to hospital shortly.

They did, you're right.

Great news. It will help our summer business too, incomings and outgoings. If he had been gone for a couple of months, outsiders would be looking and wondering how stable the club could be going forwards, so putting it to bed fairly quickly is a big boost.

Not sure of your parameters, but Dan Burn comes to mind.

Echoing others, I think the Villa performance was entirely in keeping with what we've done in similar past games. It's ok, it was budgeted for - no part of me assumed it was going to be a win for us. I think we're more likely to feel Eddie's absence in upcoming games that had plenty of preparation time e.g. Chelsea and Arsenal. I think they would've been exhibitions of what he does as a manager. No need to feel desperate yet, as I've said a few times this season, we get 3 points for whoever we beat. We should put away Ipswich, and looking at the realities of the situation, we should knock any kind of hoodoo nonsense out of our heads against Brighton.

Feels like we missed a trick not deepening the relationship with Bristol Rovers. Enthusiastic fanbase, sympathetic level of football. Although staying with us for the first 12 months was probably the right move.

Aye, there's a few post retirement interviews I'll love to see if and when they finally come out. Got a horrible feeling there'll be a proper omerta from everyone who's spent much time with Howe though

Isn't it possible that he's just done an incredibly good job of establishing a culture where everyone is ready and willing to do the right things in his absence? It's a really good sign that players have been getting texts from him though, I heard it said in that Murphy and Pope interview.

Always find it odd when it's said he should've just not worn the rainbow armband. There is zero doubt in my mind he'd have generated at least as much ill feeling. He had no 'winning' move except to wear the branding and keep his mouth shut.

Seriously, perhaps his brother is just as good, but hasn't been Howed.

It's just very heartwarming. Whatever happens in the summer is with my total blessing, but seeing him back where he belongs - in terms of both the pitch and esteem - is great.

If he can keep this up, getting Eddie's wages off the books will be a big help for our PSR balance.

My perception is that's happened with a few people on here. Genuinely wondered if it's just dementia as the forum population ages.

Let's try and do it better the next time we have one like this... We got him when he was judged as raw by a country that doesn't even much like football.

Just echoing other comments. Glad it looks like he'll get over it, but hope he'll take as long as necessary to sort himself. Fortunately, I'd say we're in about as good a position as possible to let him do that. Strong, well managed backroom staff that he's spent years training. Self governing squad thanks to excellent characters like Burn, Trippier, Bruno and Lascelles. And near the end of an already successful season where so much of the preparatory physical and tactical work has already been done. Hope you're feeling better soon Eddie.

I really think we should avoid serious speculation... There's every chance he'll be fine in a few days. We'll find out in due course if it really is something terrible, but I don't think winding ourselves up about sepsis and stuff is doing anyone any favours.

Hoping what I've heard tonight isn't true. Story goes he's not been handling the stress of the job well. Supposedly he's been taking some heavy meds to help deal with it, but he's had a reaction and it's blown out his Shatner's Bassoon. He thinks he's in 1933 now.

Best of luck Eddie. He's about as clean and fit as you get for his age so confident he'll be fine, hopefully it's not a shock to him.

Over three months on, and one cup victory later, where are we at? +9 The run quoted above was a gutter, but Nottingham Forest at home (+3), and away at West Ham (+2) and Leicester (+3, replacing Luton) have made a big difference. The next four fixtures are very much about maintaining standards though: Manchester United (h) Crystal Palace (h) Aston Villa (a) Ipswich Town (h), replacing Burnley We took the full 12 points from those fixtures last season... Personally, I'm confident.

I've never been convinced him having Australians around him is particularly good for him. Possibly even a negative.

I think Murphy won't let up in the slightest if and when we get a truly top class starter for RW. He'd keep doing his best on and off the field and be happy for the club, in fact. He's done magnificently this season. He's obviously got his limitations, but he's never played so productively for so long before. He's a starter on merit for us in our first trophy winning season in decades.