clintdempsey

I still think that he’ll get it right. Today is the first game everything went wrong. We had too many poor performances today. The usual suspects (Shelvey, Willock and Lascelles) as well as some of the perceived better players (Schar, Manquillo, Miggy). The pen was a sucker punch in all its glory, the 2-0 came against the run of play and after that it all fell apart. I’m concerned about the league position of course, but I’m not concerned about Howe.

Schar has been abysmal today. Makes Lascelles look like an Olympic sprinter. Total collapse after an OK-ish first 60 mins.

Manquillo at fault for two goals today. Too sloppy again after messing up the offside trap earlier.

I still don’t think we’ve been that bad tbh. We’re just lacking urgency I feel. Far too laid back which I suppose has to do with the players’ characteristics. Would be nice to have an aggressive midfielder who could grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

For once I don’t think we’ve done too badly here. First 10 mins were good, controlling them and not giving anything away. Would’ve liked a bit more urgency to our play, we’ve been quite high pressing but not with any tenacity. Everything to play for in the second half, can still get a win here IMO. Get Willock off and recharge during the break and then get out there and do them in the second half. As for the the PK, my word. Pathetic.

Much better in the 2nd half and a well deserved 3pts. We could’ve had a goal or two more during that 20 mins spell in the second half. Nice to get the monkey off our backs and here’s to getting the ball rolling.

What are we doing? No urgency or tempo at all this far. Against Brentford we were straight out the blocks pressing and harrying but the last three games hasn’t been anything like it.

Must say that we’ve started rather hesitant today again. No red card yet though. ? Can only get better from now hopefully.

I still think we can escape the drop to be honest. There’s enough in this squad and management team to see us through it. Considering the circumstances a point is OK of course but I do think that we started a bit slow today to be honest (before Clark’s brain fart). Was expecting to be at them from the off, pressing and hassling. IMO we were a bit too cautious, even after the red card to be honest. Norwich didn’t threaten much and I felt like we were way too deep kicking it long too often to no one. Actually thought there was a shade of Darlow to Dubravka’s game today which did worry me a bit. Didn’t cover himself in glory for the moment leading up to their goal and kicked a few balls straight out of play. Redeemed himself after Schär’s howler though. A bitter pill to swallow this though. We would’ve won 11 v 11 I feel, and probably could have won had we been a bit more adventurous 10 v 11. Two points lost at a stage where we really can’t lose them. I have faith that Eddie’s a fast learner though and we will beat Burnley this weekend and have a shock result or three before January.

Get Almiron on for Willock and up the intensity a bit and we’ll be fine. These are shit. Go for a 3-4-1-1.

Felix Magath at Fulham?

As I said yesterday in the match thread I’d have hope that we would have been a bit more aggressive and adventurous yesterday. Obviously I have faith in Eddie and the staff to sort us out and it is early days. There were a lot of encouraging aspects of our game vs. Brentford and a few yesterday as well hopefully we’ll beat Norwich on Tuesday and get this train moving.

Of course not. But I expected more than thistbh. A higher press and just a bit more of an adventurous outlook. Especially after Tindall’s words in the presser about going there to score and win.

Actually a bit disappointed after last weeks attack-fest. We’ve been way too conservative and passive today. Weird way to go for a win.

I’m loving all this communication sorcery the club is doing at the moment. Great interview with Staveley. She seems very authentic and sincere so far. Like she takes great pride in being involved as a custodian of the club.

Good video I think. Love Shearer me. ? Of course there’s a couple of cliches in there but on the whole it was good. I don’t think his words around the Rafa/Bruce bit were that bad either. Didn’t say anything about performances, style just kept it to points/position. Sticking up for a friend is probably about right. Love it when he talks about signing for us and returning home and also the parts about Sir Bobby.

Suffice to say he aced both the interview with NUFCtv and the press conference. I’m totally onboard the Howe train now. The transformation is complete. Very well-spoken, seems highly intelligent and projects an aura of calmness and professionalism akin to Rafa but with the passion of KK or Sir Bobby. I have a feeling this is going to be a great ride.

As a Swede I’m not having that. He’s every bit as awful as he is for NUFC tbh. One of the few players I’ve no hope at all for. ?

Would be interesting to see Hjulmand in the Premier League. There's no doubt he's done a great job with Denmark but he falls into the same bracket as Southgate for me. He hasn't really done anything of note in club football has he outside of a league title in Denmark 9 years ago? Could be somewhat of a risky hire for Villa at the moment?

Nah, they're reporting that we have three games (away) at stadiums that are part of the trial?

Two separate Spurs fans I think.

I miss Martin Jol and his faux ITK persona. Happy times.

At this point in time, after the dust has settled from the Emery fall-out (who I don’t particularly ‘like’ anyway but have respect for his record), I’m actually quite happy if it is Howe. Been watching a few interviews and reading a few articles and it’s an obvious step-up from most of the managers over the last 14 years. He seems like a really switched-on guy who lives and breathes football and always looks to better himself and learn more about being a manager. He is also evidently a highly articulate guy with a great football philosophy. He’s not the big name most of us would have wanted at the start of this process but looking at it from a different point of view it seems like he really wants a project and he has loads of potential to grow with the club. My first reaction was disappointment but after reading up on him I’ve got a better feeling about this. 100% behind him and it will be so nice just to not have our manager embarrass and belittle us in the press and on the pitch anymore. Howe actually strives for betterment through positive football as well, how about that?

If Charnley is leading that side with the consortium's blessing that doesn't bode well either tbh.