Rich

He shouldn't be in that job, let alone a better one.

Can't even be mad.

I see both sides now, but last night was very much in the latter bracket.

I thought this was made for you tbh, but I'm in the same boat. Having just written out my answer, I do appear to be stuck in 2008.

To actually contribute myself, instead of just shit-posting: I've always been a 4-3-3 fan, probably due to Cruyff, and I think for a decent team it's probably the most effective shape in the modern game for pressing purposes (along with the 3-4-3/5-2-2-1 that's been quite prominent since Conté's Chelsea won the league). It's hard to knock the 4-4-2, though, especially when it's done in a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 sort of way ala Leicester under Ranieiri. To get off the fence, though, I'd say a 4-3-3 with a high press in terms of basic formation/philosophy. As Billy said above, pace would be critical, along with size, strength, and stamina. As far as personnel goes, something like: Goalkeeper: Has to be at least 6'2", decent with his feet, and a good communicator. Full-backs: More attackers than defenders, with pace top of the priority list, closely followed by technique as far as ball control/passing goes, and a bit of shithousery ala Robertson. Centre-backs: Ideally just a carbon-copy of each other. Again, nobody under 6'2", with good reading of the game, aerial ability, and mobility all critical. Not that bothered about them being able to play. Defensive midfielder: If you could give me prime Tioté with more size and aerial ability I'd be a very happy man. Central-midfielders: I'd want a blend here, sort of a Lampard/Essien combination to use a real example. One responsible for goals above all else, and the other an athletic all-rounder, again ideally 6'2" (think I've got a Vince McMahon size fetish) Wingers: Both inverted, one speed/dribble merchant and one more cultured. More of a ten playing wider, I suppose. HBA and Riquelme types would do here. Striker: Drogba, but less of a diving cunt. Someone with the ability to bully defenders, great in the air, can run in behind, and who isn't afraid of helping out at the other end with set pieces. Having written this out, it seems Chelsea 2008 is my favourite non-NUFC team of all-time in terms of style. Who knew?

Writes a million words of shite a month about his bairn(s), his missus, his business, his mates, his area, etc. and gives me two.

Hopefully a bit of light relief following the torture of last night, but let's see if it bombs. After all the debate over formations, personnel, and philosophy since Howe joined, I was interested to find out what everyone on here would do if they were manager of Imaginary F.C. with an unlimited budget in modern-day football? (Not NUFC and definitely not this NUFC.) What formation would you play? 4-4-fucking-2? 4-2-3-1? 3-5-2? And why? What would your playing style be? How would you want to attack? How would you defend? What type of personnel would you need to make it work? Doesn't need to be specific players, but might make it more interesting/understandable if you have some in mind. I've half-arsed this a bit and not come up with my own answers just yet, but I'm keen to see where people on the forum sit philosophy-wise.

u ok hun?

Just wait, Yorkie. He’s the next one to be Howed.

Confidence?

Dubravka Manquillo Schar Fernandez Lewis Shelvey Willock Fraser Joelinton Saint-Max Wilson Think the only spot that should be up for debate (fatigue permitting) is Willock’s. Might be time to unleash Joff Hondrick. If nowt else, Fraser will be fresh and he’s clearly ahead of Miggy atm. If he doesn’t perform here, then hopefully we see that change with Joelinton moving back to RM. Did we seem to be missing any leadership last night to anyone? Not from where I was sat. As such, there’s no case for Lascelles or Ritchie to come back in.

"I really like Feddy as a defender, but I did not see any value in putting him on the bench. If you are winning, you are not going to put him on, and if you are losing, you are not going to put him on," Jones told the press after Saturday's defeat. Glad Howe doesn't subscribe to this absolute tosh, like, dread to think where we'd have been with Krafth or Hayden coming on for Clark after 10 minutes tonight.

What are the rumours on Fernandez?

I think we've had people voting 10s by this stage of the season in pretty much each of the last five seasons now.

Having only seen him live four times, has he always looked this knackered/Yaya Toure'd out of possession or is it a recent thing? It seemed like he was instructed not to press today, too, which was getting the huckles around me proper wound up. Reminded me of the halcyon days of Laurent, Laurent Robert on the wing with the bile.

Jeff Hendrick. It is time.

I think you might be right. "Next time they're available".

Up to a six. Still think the worse off we are come January the more we'll spend. This isn't a typical relegation club (I hope).

Still, I'll caveat this by saying it's his third game and he missed his first one with COVID. He'll surely learn, but he has to learn fast given the position we're in. We can't be seeing Clark and Ritchie next game, and I personally don't want to see Hayden on the park again at all.

Playing Hayden on the wrong side of the diamond was very questionable to me, the position seemed tailor-made for Almiron in the circumstances, so he could support Lewis a bit after they went 4-4-2 and brought the big(ish) lad on. Then Almiron does come on, and instead of going 4-4-1-1 (tucking Hayden in and Miggy going LM) to protect the flanks he plays him in ASM's position in Wilson's pocket. At that point in the game it surely has to be about solidity and managing the clock, for me. I said this at the time, btw, so it's not pure hindsight talking. It was clear what Norwich's plan was after their final sub, overload the flanks and get the ball in the box.

Considering that was his first game in ages and he had zero cover for 80+ minutes, I thought he was very impressive.

We're approaching almost Diame-like levels of redemption here. A bit more composure and a few more goals and we'll be there.

Aye. That was him rusty and he was absolutely fine. Marshalling people, orchestrating things, defending cleanly.

Early days but in-game management a bit suspect so far. Brave to go two up top after the red, so swings and roundabouts there, but subs have got to be better. If you’d offered me 1-1 after 10 minutes I’d have taken it, mind. Few Brucey bonus days off in order I reckon.