TheBrownBottle

I know what people mean when they say Howe is hamstrung by PSR - he is. I was replying to the idea that Howe hadn’t been backed, implying that the ownership was at fault on that front. He has been backed to the maximum extent possible - which means he would need to either wheel and deal or stick with what he has. He chose to stick. And it is possible to spend the money we spent last summer and get good players in - Bournemouth paid less for Kluivert than we paid for Osula, for example. I think Howe’s doing (and has done) a good job, and I’m happy with him being our manager. But I don’t agree with the ‘no-one else could do this / he’s a miracle worker’ crack.

There are two managers currently doing better with worse squads.

There are two managers currently doing better with worse squads.

He’s been backed, which is why we haven’t been able to spend as much as we’d like. The rules narrow what can be done, but again there’s nothing stopping us from trading to buy.

I’m not seeing miracles performed. Howe’s doing well with a perfectly good squad. If this is what miraculous looks like, then what are Forest or Bournemouth doing? There’s a lot of miracles going around. Four of the ‘big six’ are having - at best - ‘transition seasons’. I think we’ve got a better team and squad than Bournemouth or Forest, but we’re below them. We could soon be below Fulham and Brighton - and I think we’re better than them too. There’s been no European football and no injury crisis. We haven’t been able to spend - but holding onto players instead of selling them to give you a budget is also a choice. Howe’s a good manager and we have a cup final to look forward to - but a team with the league’s best centre forward and one of the best midfields isn’t over performing.

Timing

Bugger

‘Bad day at the office’ for me. I can understand why Howe would’ve been tempted to do what he did first half after the Arsenal LC match but it backfired. I really don’t want to see Trippier starting PL matches anymore.

I agree he’s not the best on the ball, and that has been a longstanding issue with English centre halves. But BDB is an underrated footballer for me - and this is Man City’s forward line he’s up against, and he’s surrounded by a LB having a ‘mare and sat behind a midfield which hadn’t offered much protection

Just a goal needed. I want some forlorn hope.

We’ve just sold Lloyd Kelly to Juventus - where he starts. BDB looked twice the player.

No, you’re not alone. The awful set up first half didn’t help us at all.

Fair enough - but for me there is a benefit. I get to see NUFC in Europe

BDB can play for a top club in the PL, but would struggle anywhere on the continent? Not sure like.

The ‘streaky’ nature of the results are notable, mind. But the vacillation between ‘he’s mint’ to ‘he’s shite’ definitely happens. It tends not to change my view - he’s an excellent coach with some limitations.

Why would anyone want us to not qualify for Europe? We might as well stop following football if qualifying for European competition is seen as a bogey prize.

Richard Masters made us play 5-3-fucking2

Fucking ho’way lads, need a much better second half showing than that shite first half

We’re not good away from home generally; but we not good at all against quality sides. Howe’s away league record before today vs the four members of the big six who haven’t been misfiring: W0 D2 L11 Not a pop at Howe, just a reminder of how difficult these games are.

In 2024/25, no-one died

Could end up being brutal this

Easy. They’ve been completely dominant.

Recent form doesn’t support this position at all

He's done exactly that, tbf. I reckon the cunt sleeps like a baby.

A general rule of thumb - if the pub has a flat roof, has the curtains drawn and is in a postcode where your car insurance premium gets a '0' added to the end - you've probably found a place to watch it. Enter at your own risk