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I haven't seen THAT many of them - maybe I've missed some - but yeah they're very keen to defend themselves, the project and the club whenever anything kicks off. I think back to the double statement on the Saudi headdresses back at the start - keen to upset no one. Can't really fault them on being proactive, generally.

Must just have been poor phrasing from an expert communicator, then.

I was under the impression it was extremely underwhelming before the injury. Definitely read a Swansea forum saying he was a waste of a signing.

Agreed, addressed it in a following post. Largely agreed. I do think how the last match was handled was rotten. I'd be looking for ways to make it up to the fans who attended e.g. free merchandise or whatever. Given we'd taken the stick of going out there already, ideally some kind of uber-meet and greet could've been arranged with players who didn't actually play. I haven't got too much of an issue with the trip, I just think she should be braver in truly shouldering responsibility for it - in the very justifiable context of FFP, as you say.

Yes, certainly. But there's a line in stating she merely backed someone else's decision - "wasn't me, guv". "The decision to go was taken by management, and ultimately I have to support their decisions.....we are doing everything we can to support our manager." Forgive my cynicism but I think that's legalese in the sense that Eales and co. are management, but most ordinary people would interpret it as being "the manager" Eddie Howe. Using his popularity to de-energise a stinking PR situation.

Is she dragging Howe into the firing line there, or am I having some kind of stroke? First time I've been properly unimpressed.

I kind of feel sorry for Man City fans, particularly having known a few loyal ones before it all happened. It's almost like their club got kidnapped in one of those Central Asian wedding ceremonies and everyone's telling them they should be pleased about it. One of those I knew was a young middle class lad born and raised in London. We both agreed at the time of the takeover he'd look like one of the biggest glory hunters in the world. He had the true joy stolen from him. However it's happened, I do feel lucky we aren't being forced on the same path as them. It would feel so hollow.

I don't know but my guess is there are attitude problems with him. As your link shows, he's consistently highly rated, and bits I've seen are seriously impressive. But somehow it never works for him, now with multiple clubs and managers. I get the impression he's cocky as fuck, which might play a part. I wonder if he might be a late bloomer, maybe play a big role for a team that gets promoted in 3-5 years.

Won't lose sleep over it, but in the context, I read that as plans being put in place for their replacements

They're being a bit confusing with the headline. Further down they cover what would've happened in prior seasons without VAR, and apparently Wolves would've had Champions' League in 19/20.

We've been linked consistently with him since I think last summer, so wouldn't be too surprised to see it happen.

According to that article, we're one of the clubs voting to keep VAR. Considering Howe has been pretty explicit that he doesn't like it, I'd be interested to know who is pushing that line.

Yeah I tend to agree with this. The idea of SSN flashing up the headline "Howe sacked at Newcastle" feels very wrong as things stand. My only concern on that side is if we need to progress at a certain speed to actually make the whole thing work e.g. to attract the sponsors to pay for the wages to cover the FFP to keep PIF interested etc etc. But otherwise I'm relatively happy on the organic slowboat as long as it looks like we're going in the right direction.

I agree with you, but next season is a 'season in', so we ought to have relatively high hopes. We've got no distractions, all our main competitors have extra European commitments. We've got managerial stability, many of our competitors are in flux etc. We aren't guaranteed anything - not least as it's a long summer ahead - but we ought to be rattling cages next season.

How do you mean? Like winning no games or winning no competitions?

I think it's pretty much his private aim every season. These words could easily look very silly in a few months, but next season looks like a good year to go and do it, as well.

I'm in no hurry to sell, not least as his value's probably never been lower. Big year for him next season though, and hopefully a fantastic one.

I've got mixed feelings. I wouldn't be too concerned to be honest. Overall we've done well against the big clubs this season. Can see an argument for wanting to get hard into the season and make a statement. Meanwhile, lower teams will still see us as a scalp to take with a soft underbelly. Would hope we get after them like a tornado too...

Same.

Huge setback for the club today. Very bad luck that 7th didn't get Europe. Gutted, it felt like we were halfway to a trophy next year. Probably mainly sorry as I was looking forward to Eddie having his second go at European football. It even has implications for the likes of Miley. On the upside, we're well and truly back in his wheelhouse. If the players keep their heads straight, which they ought to, there's a solid chance we'll be absolutely exterminating teams next season. Big summer ahead, bigger than I expected this morning. Rationally, today shouldn't affect how the board - or we - see Eddie's position. But the consequences will probably ripple across the next 24 months one way or another, re: Bruno, youth development, importance of league performance etc.

Sunday name would be someone's full, proper name i.e. Stephen instead of Steve. In this context I took it to be ironic i.e. calling them a pack of bastards and cunts etc.

I sure hope so. And I choose to believe so.

Comfortably the best of our 3 RWs in Eddie's first season. Someone mentioned it the other day and it had never occurred to me - we could have really done with him during our injury crisis this season. Real shame. Daft sod.

These are cool, thanks.

Or not