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And all of this too.

Exactly.

I feel like he's got something big in him for the end of this season. I thought today might be the day. But I'm surprised at what people have said here, I didn't think he was very good at all. More in keeping with his early season form - as were most of the team.

Hopefully just a blip!

Haven't seen anyone questioning Eddie, but that's because I haven't been looking. Crazy if people are getting that upset by today's result. It's a pity, but we're a very good team with clearly the best manager out of the remaining 3 opponents we have and a huge amount still to play for - we're 1/4 on with the bookies still apparently. This is strictly not the time to panic.

I think it was a confused attempt to be best friends with both clubs. Probably causing more harm than good for himself though.

His career record on direct free kicks is actually nothing to shout about at all. Really was a purple patch for us in the first year. But when he gets them, you don't forget them.

Arguably the nadir of our season, although the game after where we drew 1-1 with Palace having had literally zero shots on goal, on or off target, is a strong competitor. It's been a real season of two halves, and thankfully we're finishing on the upswing. The Bruno-Tonali switch and the decision to fully back Murphy over Barnes and Gordon on the right were big parts of saving our season.

I'd be looking a lot more sharply at our home form. Losses against West Ham, Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth. Even a couple of draws would've radically lowered some people's pulses on here.

It was the surprise of him really managing to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Showed what could be achieved. Looked really promising for the future. Then Ashley fucked it.

Depressing night of football for a neutral.

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.