KaKa

I remember something like that causing the move to breakdown. It may have been a number of backroom staff in general though.

There's different types of companies and services. From what I recall, I think they were just recommending lists of players based on whatever criteria we provided. It doesn't look like we ever implemented anything in house.

Just to clarify. I did not expect him to implement Brightons data model as yes, Bloom owns that property. It's more that he would have understood the importance of data analysis in recruitment, and I would have expected him to put that in place in some capacity. There are sports data and analysis companies that partner with clubs and implement these services.

That Bournemouth fan post is especially alarming because it was shared right when we hired Howe and well before there was even a hint of any issues. The post wasn't even negative. It just added that bit about control as a bit of a foot note. I hope more than anything they can all figure it out and work together, but I'm increasingly less confident about it.

Like @The College Dropout said in response, it has seemed to be veering more and more towards that. And so I think they may indeed have had that right. I think Nickson had a bit more influence early doors, with Howe having been out of management for a little bit. I recall Nickson getting mentioned regarding having watched Bruno even when he was in Brazil. He was also given credit for having had a lot of information on Botman who he had been following.

When we hired Howe, the Bournemouth fan on here mentioned that he'd be interested to see how it played out, because Howe liked control over everything, and he actually left Bournemouth because the club wanted to change some things as far as how things functioned behind the scenes. We have since heard there was tension between Howe and Ashworth. This was only reported after the debacle with Man Utd broke, and I wasn't having it at the time (however, it had to be revisited with all that emerged since then, and with what the Bournemouth fan said when Howe first joined). The next thing we know Amanda and Mehrdad were out, with reports that they were 'getting in the way' of things being taken forward at the club. Apparently this was what the CEO Eales shared with PIF. This was when I looked a bit more into what the issue with Ashworth was, and it was stated that Howe was working closely with Amanda and Mehrdad and had marginalised Ashworth. Before that had all settled down fully, we then finally bring in Mitchell, with reports early on that Howe was annoyed he wasn't consulted or told about it. Then came his interview that he needed to be allowed to work as he had been, this prior to even meeting with Mitchell to hash all that out. We then got the interview from Eales where he spoke of wanting Howe to focus on things on the pitch, rightfully so as the head coach, and that left to Howe he would spend all his time on a lot of other stuff, as I presume he had been doing previously, all stemming from the original period with just Amanda and Mehrdad. Since then we have had an interview from Mitchell that mostly praised Howe's work and style of football, but once again reiterated a desire for Howe to focus on the head coach role, again, as should be the case. Ever since then it's been reports of problems between Howe and Mitchell. From my perspective it appears Howe has not been able to adjust to the introduction of a DOF. Ashworth came from a club that has the best data model going, and specialised in signing players from undervalued markets, especially South America. Why was he not able to implement any of that with us? I doubt he would have been able to if there was conflict behind the scenes. Seems to me he instead opted for an exit. And so all that to let you know how and why I ended up with my view on things.

I am fully on the dark side now. The summer really ticked me off and I don't like where things are going. It's my opinion, from the noises out there, regarding issues previously at Bournemouth, issues with Ashworth and issues with Mitchell, that Howe appears very rigid in the way he works and is not going to be able to work with a highly qualified Director of Football. I do not want any manager that functions like this. Not with the way things are going in football. I do not trust any one man to be able to pull it off. We will lose out on the contacts a DOF has with other clubs, agents and execs that typically helps facilitate transfers and opens up so many more options and possibilities. We will also miss out on being at the forefront of the most cutting edge recruitment data and analysis, that is usually pushed by the DOF. When it comes to competing for players with other clubs that have such people in place, we cannot afford to have Howe going up against them during breaks in training, or whoever else at the club that doesn't have a strong enough reputation and gravitas with the right people, if we don't have a legit DOF. We apparently don't even have a data driven approach to recruitment yet, according to Howe, and are still relying on traditional scouting only. This is one of the first things that should have been addressed at the club. Why is this still the case? Who was in charge of such things? Things are moving very quickly. We are now seeing the likes of Bournemouth hiring Tiago Pinto, who was previously at Roma, as a DOF, and now being able to sign Porto's number one striker off them in Evanilson. AFC Bournemouth. We have a head start on a number of clubs with some of the talent we have, but how long will that last for. We seem to be going down a very particular road when it comes to the players we are targeting lately. We keep hearing from the manager that there is only a very small pool of players that can improve our team. That is very very hard to believe. For me personally, the alarm bells are ringing. But maybe I am wrong. We will soon see.

If you can't handle seeing my opinion on the matter use the block button. I don't have time for these personal back and forths and bickering over some bullshit.

You get over yourself, and stop crying and whining because I don't agree with you. It's pathetic. You don't see me bitching about your opinion on the matter and your going on about how much you hate Mitchell and Eales all the time. Grow up!

That's because there was nothing wrong with what Mitchell said. But the fans are running with the villain narrative because Howe can apparently do no wrong, and should be allowed to do as he pleases.

Always enjoy seeing loud mouths look daft.

Mitchell spent years with Ragnick in the Red Bull structure. Mitchel's description of his vision of football fits that ethos of high pressing, aggressive and direct football. It is perfectly aligned with Howe ball and the players we have, and still there are problems for some reason. If we do end up with another manager it will be one that plays that style and so it should work with our players still.

Maresca at Chelsea too after Poch kicked off about transfers. We're going to end up in the mud the way things are going.

Someone should tell Pep.

So if Arsenal are Stoke and Wimbledon. What are we then? A league 2 outfit I presume?

Good luck with that. We are going to get smoked.

Turn of your device and don't watch or comment on the sport ever again. You are embarrassing We'll see how this holds up when we play them.

I called it when that time was being added on. Happens too often. Still a great result for the Arse.

Still an incredible result for Arsenal considering the circumstances. Had no right to get anything from that match.

That's what Ederson should have done instead of going down.

Jesus is dense.

The point is I'm not certain they are faking it.

If you've ever had to defend like this in a game it is pretty brutal to be fair. The fatigue and cramping is something else.

He's just going to add the time on, and it will end up costing them.