Chicken Dancer

we just drank in London mate. Loads of #cans on way to ground

I went in 2019 and there’s absolutely fuck all next to the ground!

It's a shame that this wasn't done weeks ago given he's not under contract, which is probably my biggest gripe with it all. That being said, it looks like they've been knocked back a few times and after reading more and more on Howe, he's definitely growing on me. All in - least he looks like a proper coach. Players won't have a fucking clue what's hit them.

It'll definitely be Eddie, Eddie Howe (Daddy Cool) or Damien Duff replaced by Eddie Howe We need someone like that Jamie Webster - that scouse lad who sings on a guitar and made the Van Dijk song etc.

PS I’d argue we have some of the worst idiots, these past 4 weeks have properly cemented it.

I think it goes without saying every single fan base has a section of idiot fans, but one their supporter groups tweeting about that specifically (Atletico not taking knee) is sheer hypocrisy. Saying that, hindsight is a wonderful thing and for all I know that group could have condemned the t-shirts at the time/since. I know Carragher was made to squirm about wearing them on MNF once upon a time.

Horrific. Taking high horse over Atletico not taking the knee despite their players (and Dalglish IIRC) all wearing t-shirts in their game v Wigan supporting Suarez after he'd been correctly accused of racially abusing Evra.

Probably in the minority, but I'd prefer him to have 2 weeks with squad then the Brentford game. Much easier for the arsehole section of our fanbase to use the inevitable hammering on Saturday as a stick to beat him with. Plus Friday will probably be a half-session at most, not much time to make any form of impact. Hopefully he's in the stands and it gives players a kick up the arse, although likely to get beat regardless.

Warmed to the idea of Howe now, and like others have touched on, I've probably been guilty myself of just expecting a 'bigger' name automatically because we have £££. Yes Emery would have a been a bold statement, but fair play for going for blokes like that. For all we know, Howe could have been 8th choice. They've interviewed many candidates by the sounds of it, and if he's impressed them then fair enough. Certainly sounds like he impressed more than Fonseca, who I wanted at first. So good on him and the board for identifying that. We are literally 19th and 6 points adrift. We're probably not the catch we (including I) think we are to many managers. Howe can hopefully keep us up and if he does well, great. 17th this year then midtable next year would be massive progress. Then we can reassess where we want to go summer 23. FWIW, I think everyone - including Howe - will realise long term he won't be the man, but for now let's get behind him and stay up. If he does well then he can leave and get another good job. Our new owners aren't buying us to have Eddie Howe as the face of their club long term, but he's about as good as we can hope for right now by the looks of it. We've probably been knocked back by a good few imo. Maybe underwhelming, but new owners + Howe is 10000000000000% better than Ashley + Bruce, which we were resigned to forever only 4 weeks ago.

I think one of the main things that hyped me up when the news broke yesterday was that it looked likely Emery was coming in this week with the intention of either managing v Brighton or certainly just being there, to then have the entire international break to work with the team prior to a decent home game vs Brentford. Going back to the drawing board just wastes precious time, man. What a kick in the bollocks today has been.

FWIW Emery would have probably been announced today if it wasn't leaked. They obviously had a pretty good indication he wanted it for it to leak. As excited as I was, couldn't help but question the timing of the leak. This is after weeks of praising them for nothing leaking.

The saddest thing about the past 24hrs or so is I've got absolutely no work done and am now massively behind. FIND THE MOLE

I don't particularly dislike Howe, I just think he's a bad fit for NUFC. Don't get me wrong, he'd have been a canny appointment under Ashley but the fact we could have appointed him the day after Bruce left would make the entire period since fucking pointless. Absolutely underwhelming if it's Howe.

Really trying hard not to criticise the new owners, but that doesn't mean they're immune from it. Yesterday I was, like everyone, completely made up that they were after a top manager who's in a job - one who essentially would have cost them £14m to appoint. Seemed their process we were told to trust was absolutely bang on. It's obviously impossible for us to know who leaked it to the press (seems Ornstein was first, followed by everybody else jumping on the story not to be left behind), but it is poor form, especially given Villareal had a hugely important game to contend with. I'd be pissed if I was Emery/their owner too. Not of the opinion that it's a shitshow (just yet), but the handling of the takeover in 2020 and of the Bruce situation were poor imo. No good leaking to the press without 100% certainty else you just end up with egg on your face, and a massive shitty stick for people to beat you with. I don't buy into the fact it's completely dead either, owners on the continent generally use media as a mouthpiece. Many times we've seen owners say 'XYZ player is DEFINITELY staying' only for him to later leave, generally a ploy to get more £££. But the leaks from our side yesterday were ill timed and seemingly very premature. The sooner we appoint some proper football people in Sporting Director & CEO roles the better. It will come in time, but unfortunately time is something we do not have right now.

One of them have just said Johnson is too little to get any respect

Can't really remember anything particularly unique in recent years either. Last ones were probably the Gouffran and Mbemba songs. Even they were probably Strawberry Corner/Away day songs. Saying that, I have absolutely no idea how you just make a song up for it to catch on. Absolutely hate a million times over the 'Martin Dubravka/Hatem Ben Arfa/Nobby Solano' rehash. Look at Liverpool's for Salah, Firminho, Van Dijk etc. Fucking class. I am glad we haven't adapted a rip off version of that 'Allez, Allez Allez' song sung by basically everyone now though. Coming Home Newcastle and Big River would be class.

Wish we had a better songbook like. Would be class to get songs like 'I'm coming home Newcastle' in away ends. We just rehash basically everything. Even the Callum Wilson one now is Shearer's ffs.

Didn't realise he actually orchestrated a 22 game unbeaten run early in his first year at Arsenal. Sounds organised and meticulous with detail - basically exactly what we need. I was all in on Fonseca, and yes I'm probably blinded by the fact he isn't coming now, but I did touch on in an earlier post in this thread, not sure Fonseca would be a good fit *right now* due to having to basically change a team that's designed to sit deep into an attacking, possession based team. Emery seems perfect for our current predicament and really good statement from the owners. Happy fucking days.

Hopefully all those shitting their pants now understand why it's taken so long. A huge statement from new owners imo. To take a top manager from a job would basically just confirm everything we hoped we already knew - they've got serious plans here.

3-0 defeat, unless they go down to 9 in the first half or something.

Has Reuben been at the last 2 games? Haven't seen him on any of the photos etc

‘Next to 0%’. There’s always a chance - like you say, money talks. But I’ll be astounded if it’s him.

As others have touched on, domestically Ajax are flying and top of their Champions League group with 100% record. As tempting as the promise of riches will be, I just think he’d be more inclined to see the season out and see what other jobs are available. He’s been linked with Barcelona etc, I just don’t think he’s realistic now. Would love him, just maybe a few years too early for going and taking Ajax manager off them whilst he’s still in a job . Also read numerous times that the owners basically want someone out of work, rather than get tangled in a legal battle.

It’s definitely not going to be Ten Hag. It’s OK to dream though! But we have next to 0% chance.

Hasn't Rafa been called a 'fat spanish waiter' by basically everyone forever? Definitely the media pushing this narrative. Rank.