The Prophet

Here me out, but what if managerial limitation was one of several factors at play this season? There's a lot of fingers being pointed at folk who attribute no blame to Howe, but aren't people who attribute all of the blame to him, just a different side of the same coin? I agree there's been signs of poor management this season. Poor box defending, strange selections and rigid substitutions certainly don't help Howe's case. This is a massive oversimplification. We're a limited, injury hit squad, who's played circa 60 games this season. Man City and Liverpool are far more seasoned sides that have suffered from fatigue in recent seasons, but they were able to drop substantial dollar to refresh their squads. It also overlooks mental fatigue and confidence which are both absolute momentum killers. Again, another massive oversimplification discussed at length above. Isn't it pretty obvious? Before last summer we went three transfer windows without being able to spend. This summer may have been mismanaged, but we absolutely targeted the most critical positions. See above on mental fatigue and confidence. He has adapted and reinvented us over and over. The debate really boils down to whether you think he can do it again. Either way, we will investment to refresh the squad this summer. We don't need to fall into polarised thinking here. It is possible to say that Howe has struggled at points this season, whilst recognising that he's been delt a difficult hand, without calling that an excuse.

The summer window was an absolute disasterclass in execution. I can't remember the exact sequence of events, but I believe our inability to secure a striker meant that we didn't shift Isak until the season was two to three games old. He also left in incredibly damaging fashion. His short term "hit the ground running" replacement immediately got injured, meaning a lad that Howe had said needed a grace period and our system needed adjustment for was immediately thrust onto the action. To say that alone has been the cause of our rot this season would be an oversimplification, but it's certainly a contributing factor. See above, I agree, the summer put this season on the back foot from the off. Again, this doesn't negate losing Isak how and when we did any less damaging. Nor that his short term replacement got injured a week later on international duty. Again, not saying its not the only factor at play, but I struggle to see how it isn't a significant one.

I think the impact of losing Isak is impossible to quantify and is an interesting debate to be had. I'd argue given the timing and manner of his loss, along with what's subsequent happened with his replacements it's significant though. I'm not sure what's nonsense or straw man worthy in that respect.

What's nonsense?

You could also use the volume of games as an argument the other way. It's not really the "gotcha" that you think it is.

I'd say after the summer, when we've had an opportunity to take stock and repair the damage. We lost out primary source of goal around three games into the season. One of replacements had no pre-season and almost immediately got injured (poor planning on our part), while the other is still learning the game and will require adjustments to the way we play. Over the summer they'll have a transfer window and a pre-season to repair some of the damage. Other than us losing a very good player, it shouldn't really be a factor next season.

You're trying too hard my friend.

Just seen that West Ham handball, Spurs fans must be seething. https://www.reddit.com/r/Everton/s/DsqLe9Ibxu

I was not. Just about every player at NUFC has improved under his watch, some well beyond the capacity we thought they were capable of. This season some players have regressed due to age, others because there's massive systemic issues with the team.

We have one of the most creative midfielders in the league.

As were Trippier, Botman, Hall, Bruno and Isak. He loves his wide men to graft for sure, but the whole "technical players" thing has become a bit of a forum myth.

We've transformed massively since he took over. To keep us he has us playing block and counter side. For around two years, we were a high intensity pressing side who played high up the pitch. Last season we became a hybrid between the two. We retained the man-to-man press but it was far less aggressive. This season going by our shape on the ball, we've tried to transition to a more possession based side, we've just been rather shit in the execution.

We do adapt though. I agree his in game management, including his substitutions have left a lot to be desired of late though.

I do think folk forget that he is still learning the position. I think he'll end up being in our first choice midfield.

I do agree he's more likely to walk than be sacked.

It was a logical pick for this particular game.

You'll struggle to find a manager in Europe that doesn't have a set of principles and a way they like the game to be played. Howe's NUFC side always reminded me of Klopp's Liverpool side, before they spent the cash to take them to the next level.

Which parts (not a dig)? Other than the final day flatness v Everton I recall us largely being very good.

Walked from Bournemouth didn't he?

Wouldn't be the first time we haven't seen the fruits of his labour straight away though.

I'm not particularly negative about tonight's result, a 1-0 defeat to the league leaders, it happens. It's more concerning that I have zero confidence that we'll beat Brighton.

I'm not sure what your point is here? I was someone who thought reverting to one game a week would see an improvement, as previous evidence suggests that it usually does. It's shite that it hasn't and its concerning we're seeing so many parallels with his final season at Bournemouth. Two camps will emerge here, one will think Eddie should lead the rebuild, the other will think it's time to part company and give someone else a crack. I'm probably still in the former and I'm happy to debate why, but at this point I wouldn't begrudge anyone for leaning the other way.

I didn't watch it, but out of interest, why did that game tip you over the edge?

We have one of the best player development coaches going. He's in good hands.

They just play like this. They're an awful side to watch.