Heron

Howe is reluctant to spend on players he's uncertain about (with regards to their capability to improve our first 11). Given FFP and all that is going on with that, it is both wise and pertinent to do so - should you wish to follow the rules. Perhaps this is ultimately too safe, and time will tell, but ultimately spunking loads on players who potentially do not make the desired effect and potentially can not have the desired effect would see the club in a worse position than "playing it safe" if they do not pay off. I am reading in this thread that now his transfers are questionable, his tactics aren't good enough, he is stubborn and won't change and that he basically can't motivate the team now. So all in all - folk are collectively saying he is nigh on useless as a manager. And you say "so many excuses"... It's going both ways, and reality is somewhere in the middle of that I am sure.

Are we now questioning Howes signings too? Cause I thought Trippier, Burn, Bruno, Botman and Isak were all excellent and Tonali hasn't had much time either. Am I wrong? Or is it just that now we're saying they weren't his signings because we are now deciding he is ultimately not the man to take us forward from this point in time? Are Guehi and Elanga now bad players? Or are they simply out of form or in out of form sides? Does that mean Gordon is now shite and shouldn't be signed by say...Liverpool and Isak wouldn't get in the Forest side (again playing devils advocate)...

Now now chaps.

It's an issue. Not one we cannot overcome - with Howe.

But some folk are saying even from the start of last season there were issues? Some of the language around "honking" and such like is just sensationalist for me like. We haven't been good but we've picked up points. When we have improved performances we haven't picked up points. We've been let down in two games (in particular - for me) by Howes tactics with the midfield . Fulham and today. Other than that in the last 4 we've missed several massive goal scoring opportunities theough Isak, Gordon and Longstaff. I just feel people weighing in on any specific element of our lack of success aren't really looking at the whole picture, and it's not as bad as some folk are making out either. We could have easily gotten 6 more points in the last 4, just as we could have had 6 less from the games prior. Some of us (myself) are looking at the former. Others seem to only look at the latter. There needs to be some balance to all of this, and that isn't "Howe Out" or "Howes done" or "We will never get anywhere with Howe". (Not saying you've said any of those specific remarks btw.)

Is anyone actually saying everything is fine though?

The fact that we win more than we lose and have been on a largely upward trajectory throughout the current incumbents tenure.

Just as much as it is Boo Boy tbf. Think Howe deserves some 'reason' tbh. He hardly deserves sacking but he does need to address things. A lot fo sensationalist remarks being made though like us being honking and shir since the start of last season etc. Think that's all a bit much and quite literally ignoring some of the performances of a lifetime as a Newcastle fan (in the case of PSG).

Was down to a poor plan around our midfield for me. We seemed to have all their midfield and attack against our defence every single time they countered.

Based on what out of curiosity?

I don't really agree with that timeline tbh but certainly this calendar year we have struggled with number 10s of any calibre.

I think @Kid Icarusis merely saying folk should be more measured in their criticism to be honest like and to have some perspective. I for one, agree. Objectively, we aren't improving based on results over the last two years, but as I've briefly identified it's by 0.1 points per game. Performance wise - we have improved in recent games but not picked up points - which I think is acknowledged by all. I just don't see it as being being the panic stations kind of scenario that folk are making out and I suspect @Kid Icarusfeels the same.

So we played shit versus Liverpool and PSG?

Sorry just combining two posts I've made here... Including friendlies in the calendar year of 2023 we averaged out at 1.7points per game. 1.6points for 2024 (thus far). I don't think things are as bad as being made out at all like. Albeit, they're not going the right direction at present.

That's mental.

We didn't play bad though. We battered them for 60mins and shir our pants after the red card...

2023 Played 61 Lost 17 Drawn 14 Won 30 For contrast (based on calendar years). 1.7pts per game rounded down to 1dp.

This calendar year (including friendlies): Played 41 Lost 12 Drawn 10 Won 19 In normal time. Hardly absolutely shite like. Not as good as 2023 though, admittedly (I presume). 1.6pts per game to rounded down to 1dp.

Wey howay man. The start of last season? When we almost beat Liverpool at home, dicked Villa and PSG, etc.?

I think off the field we have had several changes in direction and personnel which have impacted on the pitch morale. We've also been caught out (as planned) with FFP shite. That's not say the players and coaching staff are blameless though. Key moments and at Fulham and Chelsea I think to.soem degree we've been tactically outdone and missed key chances.

Our back 4 were left badly exposed tactically today. Not gonna put any of the blame on them.

Was never a pen that man.

Spot on.

Ah okay. As fans it should always be Atmosphere FC, for me but I agree. The club should be aiming to give the fans something to sing about. Surely, if the club are saying how much the atmosphere helps them we should.all remain positive and behind them though, right...