TheBrownBottle

His points per game is better than Howe’s, but Emery’s starting point was far superior. I think they’re both excellent managers tbh

First time I’ve ever been called sensible

Agreed - he’s a ‘thinking’ manager. I’ve no doubt that the lessons he’s learned will reap rewards in the future - he’ll have learned loads this season.

It’s not as a daft a shout as you might think Howe is obsessive and has said himself he studies the opposition before games etc. We’ve been playing two games a week for quite a while - it has to drain his batteries, too.

It’s daft, no doubt about it. But it’s also an emotional reaction after a piss poor performance. I don’t read too much into it - I doubt the same folks will write the same thing even a few hours later. I’m happy for football fans to have their cathartic rant tbh.

Aye, it’s why I’m reluctant to be more than constructively critical of what’s happening - I think Howe will have learned the lessons of playing in Europe and we won’t see a repeat - he’s learning still, it’s his first ever European season. It’s impossible to play a high-intensity game while playing this many games - we did experience this briefly last season during the League Cup run. If we’re in Europe next year and the same thing occurs, I’m going to be far more critical tbh.

You’re right, they’re emotive reactions mate - sometimes people just need a release. I felt numb more than owt else today. It is mainly fatigue, though that doesn’t mean that the management team takes no liability on that - failure to rotate at the start of the season and a failure to change up the playing style have contributed to the injuries and fatigue. The hotheads calling for Howe to be sacked or under pressure are being daft, of course. But I also don’t think Howe is blameless.

‘Below average intelligence’, ‘thick’ You need to stop throwing the abuse about for me. Part of the reason for so many players being missing could well be the manager failing to make changes to a style of play which is likely to cause burnouts and injuries when you’re playing two games per week for months. That doesn’t mean he should be sacked or under pressure, but it would be hoped that next season - if we’re in Europe - the lessons will be learned.

Tbf there are some overboard reactions, but ‘they’re tired’ is applying no more critical thinking than those you’re pointing fingers at.

We’ve played half a season of away games without many tough fixtures in that run and have five points from it. This isn’t a rough spell, they have been poor away for half a season. There is clearly something wrong - that doesn’t mean Howe isn’t the man to fix it; but it’s a bit more than a spell

At the minute that would be playing insipidly away from home. Any new season would need to be selectable immediately.

Shooting is a technical quality too. I didn’t think Bruno was any less shite than his teammates today.

Poor that regardless of context. Unacceptably feeble, as bad as owt I’ve seen from a NUFC side. Roll on Boxing Day.

Agreed - Howe shouldn’t be under pressure, but one win in half a season away isn’t something which can be repeated without more serious questions being asked. He’s got ample credit in the bank at present, but I agree that doesn’t last forever

Thank god for our home form

From Staveley and Reuben perhaps. We seriously don’t know PIF.

You lucky bastard

I’m still convinced you’re being sarcastic, even if you don’t realise it

I’m not even frustrated - this is becoming the norm away

No urgency here at all

I’ve been assuming that it’s sarcasm

We need to be winning for that to bring a smile

The form is. If we lose this it is 5 from a possible 27

He’s offside when the initial ball is played and gains an advantage

Playing at walking pace and struggling to string two passes together. Against shit teams we look pedestrian, against decent side we can’t get the ball back and play ten men back. It’s utter shite and we’re nearly in January - I can’t believe that this play style isn’t being instructed.