Lucky

We’ve played 11

Overall it was a massive success what he achieved there. I’ve never said it wasn’t. But he got them relegated, he had a side that was overachieving and eventually ran out of steam and couldn’t change things to repeat the successes. Criticisms were choosing players he trusted rather than changing the side up and losing the pressing style that brought them that success. Does it not occur that the thing he’s good at, just isn’t sustainable?

Ok. Over the past couple of seasons there’s been recurring issues. We have to work way harder to get results than most other teams. Look at Man Utd v Brighton from a few weeks ago. They barely broke a sweat, played poorly but it was still more than enough just to play that way and get a win. When does that ever apply to us? For me it’s training and tactics. He runs players into the ground week in week out. Rarely changes the team. They’re fucked basically. Bruno, Joelinton etc.. they are shadows of their former selves. This goes right through the team too. We just don’t look strong anymore. Always taking extra touches on there ball because the movement is gone. Everything is quick layoffs or flicks on the transition which when it works looks great, but currently that’s probably a 1 in 50 shot. We can have games with more possession but there’s no control. We generally need to score 2/3 goals in a game to win because we always fade. If you disagree with that, fine. But if you agree with those observations, why does Howe get an everlasting free pass for it? Don’t make out that I have something against him, I don’t. I like him and I love the way he handles the media. He’s a classy guy. I just think he’s gone off the boil and doesn’t know how to fix this. Happened at Bournemouth. The press faded and they started shipping goals.

I’m really not. I want him to do better, or should I say I want the club to do better. I don’t think he’s going to do it this time. Time will tell as always and I’ll eat my words if I’m wrong.

As I’ve said now though, my opinion has shifted somewhat. I am doubtful he’s going to turn it around. If that’s the case then we need a change. I had the same opinion after Brighton and almost fully got roasted for it. After West Ham, opinion shifted a little bit and then this weekend there’s been more seeing it similar. Give it to December and I’ll see if you and others have the same opinion.

We’re 14th in the table, 2 points off the relegation zone and haven’t won an away game all season. It’s a pretty low bar in terms of standards.

What I actually said at the time was we could have a manager who can do the director of football stuff, then give Eddie a break by stepping into coaching, let him learn and improve before returning after a season with fresh ideas and renewed energy. But yeah, if it suits your stance to think I was suggesting Evans/Houlier, work away.

Yeah, let’s just shit on world class managers based on fuck all logic.

I criticised him and he did turn it around. But we also had a better team last year. Right now, all hopes are pinned on Wissa making an impact.

It’s a small list of elite managers who we might be able to tempt here. Ancelotti, Zidane (way less likely but he’s not in a job currently) and maybe Conte. Ancelotti would be the smart choice and I don’t see his stint with Brazil being long term.

I’m 45 years old and have followed this team since I was 12 during the promotion season. Not a glory hunter. I’ve been there through Keegan, Dalgish, Gullit, Robson, Souness, Roeder, TCA, KKmk2, JFK (&Shearer), Hughton, Pardew, McClaren, Rafa, Bruce and now Howe. He’s up there with the best we’ve had. No doubting that. He’s also had money to spend that most of the others could only dream of. What Rafa achieved with what he had trumps what Eddie did with the players he has had at his disposal, imho.. you can’t compare those squads. But he also plays more attacking football. Where I see him coming up short compared to Rafa is how he could make a plan for each match, everything was fine tuned. He was far more tactically astute and adaptable. Am taking none of this for granted by the way. We all suffered for fucking years while that cunt owned the club. I never thought we’d win something. Eddie has given a lot to achieve what he has with us. I’m not taking anything away from that. But sometimes a manager just goes as far as he can with something - I think that’s what we’re seeing this season. I hope I’m wrong because in terms of liking a manager, he’s there with KK, SBR and Rafa. But I’ve seen plenty come and go to know the signs of when something isn’t working anymore. The other side of it is that we have an an interested ownership right now who will invest. How long will that last if we start sliding back? There’s so much at stake to just be indifferent about having a league season like we are. And yeah we’re in the cups.. but can you really see us winning the CL? I’m enjoying the experience but all I see that as at the moment is £££ per win and a chance to play some huge clubs. There’s a chance in the league cup but City are also right in there and I think they will win the league this season. It’ll be a big ask to beat them if/when we get drawn against them. 2 decent cup runs and a mid to lower table finish will be damaging. There’s no other way of getting around that. The main focus should always be on the league.

I said he should be given the season and replaced - you asked me about it and I’m elaborating. At the crux of it is you think he’ll turn it around and we’ll be fine in the PL, I do not. Let’s revisit late December.

Fuck sake, any club that’s having a poor season should have a shortlist of potential replacements. You want someone coming in to be part of a transfer committee, handle pre season and hit the ground running. It should be quite obvious a month before the season ends where things will be.. so those discussions need to happen beforehand, not just sack him and have no plan.

I’m not moving any goal posts. I don’t think he’s going to turn it around this season but he should be given the chance to (which he will) - if he does, great. Just can’t see it this time.

I’m in no way trying to slight his achievement here. He made me eat my own words last season, I’d be more than happy if that happened this season. I’ve said multiple times that I like him and want him to succeed. But I love the club more than him.

I’m not saying that now, I want him replaced if he can’t turn it around this season. Can’t be more clear than that.

I think he should be given the season and if it’s a flop we should make the change. I think that’s fair. If I’m correct about Howe, let’s revisit this in December. Wissa should have had a few games by then and the manger with a full squad to choose from.

Well things are rather stale right now so maybe the whopper had a point back then 🙂

Start acting like a big club. Pellegrini was doing ok with City but they went and got Pep. Nobody talks about him or Mancini anymore, despite both winning the league for them. There’s always better out there. What’s wrong with wanting better?

Sure and we still had an excellent squad. He’s spent 250m and taken us backwards. I'll take the Isak point. Losing a player like that will affect things but he/the club handled the situation badly. I really like him and he’s a great ambassador for the club in how he conducts himself but he’s limited as a coach. The issue is that after this potentially very poor season finishes, we’re going to lose players like Botman, Tonali and Gordon and perhaps even Tino. I don’t trust him to recruit well. And my suspicion is that Ross Wilson is there to do what he wants rather than oversee what he does.

Why wow, he said he took his year off to go and learn and refine things. His own words

We spent the guts of 250m this summer. On top of some heavy investment in seasons prior.

I said last year he would benefit from going on a sabbatical. That view hasn’t changed. He arrived into this job with some fresh ideas but as those have gradually wore off he’s reverted back to what he knows. He's young enough to still be able to improve but that’s never going to happen with the constant firefighting here.

Klopp wasn’t, Arteta has been on an upward curve for 3 seasons now. Pep is usually there or there abouts. Top clubs get top managers and that’s how they stay being top clubs. We’re a good side at our best, but we’ve either stood still or declined while others have improved. Why is it heresy to suggest that Howe shouldn’t take responsibility for that?