Eddie Howe

[Scotty66]

"smashed"

adjective [ after verb ] - 

 

Having 76% possession in a football match, 22 goal attempts, 17 free kicks, 11 corners and losing 1-2.

[wiseman]

Such right fixture congestion this week, playing a full strength yeah 3 times in a row would burn players out but next weekend. I'm alright with dropping out of the FA cup so we can focus on the remaining 2 competitions.

 

We just don't have the depth in the squad yet to focus on all fronts, and if we get Europe next year this can be shown as an example why we need more quality bodies in. 

 

 

[McDog]

2 minutes ago, RS said:

Take the lead then change. A third division team has just smashed us. Embarrassing 

 

 

I'm sure you watched the game. They didn't "smash" us but yes, it was embarrassing somewhat. I do get the idea that you play all the first XI and grab a lead then come on the Murphys. Thing is, you have no idea how long that takes and really you should be able to field a weaker squad and win. It was very unfortunate but I wouldn't lose my mind about it. I am concerned in general about the lack of goals receently.

[Theregulars]

1 minute ago, Super Duper Branko Strupar said:

I think he took a necessary gamble and it didnt pay off. You look at that team before the game and you think it's strong enough to win and you're also happy we're resting key players with how many games we have had and do have. There was more than just today to consider with that selection. 

 

Hope we're looking at stealing some very promising youngsters and an absolute bargain or two in the Demari Gray mould to fill us out a bit, desperate for squad depth. On top of the need for players to come straight in the first 11.

I’ve got to be honest I wasn’t sure it was strong enough. League 1 is a bit misleading, they have championship players and are down there more due to financial stupidity and corruption than lack of talent. They’re also playing well and winning a lot. I wasn’t confident in Murphy, Lewis, Anderson or Ritchie (the latter proved me wrong), and I thought it was bonkers to play dubravka after he rocked up unexpectedly last week. I was also not confident in the decision not to have Wilson on the bench when Isak was coming off and there’s no logical argument in favour of Chris wood.

[NWMag]

Some horrendous over reactions tonight both on here and on Twitter.

 

we are pushing for the top 4, and have a cup QF in 3 days. We barely have enough quality for the first 11, and we can’t play the same 11 in every game.
 

Changes needed to be made tonight and let’s be honest, if we had put away chances (Isak header, Anderson chance, Wood howler) then we would have won. The team out there was good enough to beat a league 1 side, whether you agree with the selection or not. 
 

it’s not Eddie Howes fault that our 25 man squad contains a load of dross, and that will take time to fix. 
 

I personally think this will be a blessing in disguise, we clearly don’t have the squad depth to be in 3 competitions so let’s focus on the PL and the cup we are into the QF. 
 

Also our first loss since September so just chill out a bit yeah, we are not Man City yet.

[midds]

It's also very naive to think that the rest of the PL (and others) haven't spent the World Cup break doing their homework on us and come up with ways to negate us and limit what we do and how we do it. They've all had weeks to pour through hours of footage of how we set up and how we can be stopped or neutralised. To think the likes of Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs have just ignored us and put their feet up is folly. We're now a direct threat to those same clubs and you can bet your bottom dollar they've spent weeks trying to suss us out and how to stop us. 

 

The second half of the season will be far tougher and we'll need to adapt things and mix it up a bit - 2 up top, 3 at the back etc because once you're predictable you're easier to play against. We need 2 or 3 in before Jan 31st and vary it a bit. Keep cunts off balance

[Chris_R]

We fielded the team we need to tonight, given our other commitments and ambitions. Absolutely no issue with Howe's team selection, most of those players would have been (you hope!) banging his door down for game time, and almost all of them disappointed when given the chance. That's on them, not Howe.

 

Manquillo - Did OK. Nothing spectacular, but he was OK, probably the only "change" player to not blot his copybook tonight

Lewis - Looked shaky as fuck, he was just an accident waiting to happen

Lascelles - Showed why Schar is keeping him out and will continue to do so

Anderson - I have a little sympathy for - He clearly didn't cover himself in any glory but I think Sheff Wed targetted him a bit and always had 2 men closing him down. They probably identified him as the "danger man" from the starting XI after his L1 exploits last season. Still, did nothing.

Wood - If he was a racehorse he'd have been shot at full time and right now would be being turned into a pot of glue

Murphy - Shits the bed when the ball is at his feet, he just never has a plan on what to do with it. He's so pedestrian with the ball and needs 2-3 more touches at all times and is utterly infuriating to watch.

Dubravka - Like Lascelles, shows why he's not number 1 and never will be again

Ritchie - Far from the worst on the pitch, but finished at this level. And tonight that level was L1

 

Ultimately, you cannot carry that many sub-standard players in a match. That lot wanted their chance, they got it and they blew it. What's important now is how we respond to this as a club. We're currently top 4. It's now abundantly clear that half our squad is L1 quality, and if we get injuries our chances at the top end of the table are done. We need to bring at least 3 competent footballers in to give us that strength in depth so we never have to rely on any of the above players again.

[Jonas]

15 minutes ago, RS said:

Should have put our best team out and won the game in the first 35 minutes. Watch Leicester beat us next week now. 

Why not run them into the ground until we have to play the second string in much more important games while were at it?

[TRon]

9 minutes ago, Super Duper Branko Strupar said:

I think he took a necessary gamble and it didnt pay off. You look at that team before the game and you think it's strong enough to win and you're also happy we're resting key players with how many games we have had and do have. There was more than just today to consider with that selection. 

 

Hope we're looking at stealing some very promising youngsters and an absolute bargain or two in the Demari Gray mould to fill us out a bit, desperate for squad depth. On top of the need for players to come straight in the first 11.

 

Only thing I'd disagree with there is looking at that team and thinking it was strong enough to win. The midfield looked like it lacked energy, and I am always nervous when I see Murphy start. As it turned out, Ritchie was actually better than I thought he might be, but Lewis was worse, and seeing Wood as the sub to be brought on when Isak went off had already set alarm bells ringing. We basically had to be the first ones to score.

[Super Duper Branko Strupar]

9 minutes ago, Theregulars said:

I’ve got to be honest I wasn’t sure it was strong enough. League 1 is a bit misleading, they have championship players and are down there more due to financial stupidity and corruption than lack of talent. They’re also playing well and winning a lot. I wasn’t confident in Murphy, Lewis, Anderson or Ritchie (the latter proved me wrong), and I thought it was bonkers to play dubravka after he rocked up unexpectedly last week. I was also not confident in the decision not to have Wilson on the bench when Isak was coming off and there’s no logical argument in favour of Chris wood.

Wilson looked absolutely done when he came off against Arsenal to me. He's in no position to play more than once a week, he's struggling to make it every 7 days. Only time this striker issue gets rectified is when Isak is up to full speed.

[RS]

Just now, Jonas said:

Why not run them into the ground until we have to play the second string in much more important games while were at it?

35 minutes would have beat them.  Hereford these were not.  Bad decision unless it was to force some spending. 

[McDog]

Just now, TRon said:

 

Only thing I'd disagree with there is looking at that team and thinking it was strong enough to win. The midfield looked like it lacked energy, and I am always nervous when I see Murphy start. As it turned out, Ritchie was actually better than I thought he might be, but Lewis was worse, and seeing Wood as the sub to be brought on when Isak went off had already set alarm bells ringing. We basically had to be the first ones to score.

 

I somewhat defend Wood but holy shite, he looks really bad at times. Nobody can convince me they can't find an improvement this window. It doesn't need to be an 80M striker. Just an upgrade when Wilson or Isak need to come off.

[Theregulars]

1 minute ago, Super Duper Branko Strupar said:

Wilson looked absolutely done when he came off against Arsenal to me. He's in no position to play more than once a week, he's struggling to make it every 7 days. Only time this striker issue gets rectified is when Isak is up to full speed.

Fair point, I suppose it comes down to how much you wanted to win. Even if it’s just to play 10 mins, 10 mins of him is better than 100 days of Chris wood

[Jonas]

11 minutes ago, NWMag said:

Some horrendous over reactions tonight both on here and on Twitter.

 

we are pushing for the top 4, and have a cup QF in 3 days. We barely have enough quality for the first 11, and we can’t play the same 11 in every game.
 

Changes needed to be made tonight and let’s be honest, if we had put away chances (Isak header, Anderson chance, Wood howler) then we would have won. The team out there was good enough to beat a league 1 side, whether you agree with the selection or not. 
 

it’s not Eddie Howes fault that our 25 man squad contains a load of dross, and that will take time to fix. 
 

I personally think this will be a blessing in disguise, we clearly don’t have the squad depth to be in 3 competitions so let’s focus on the PL and the cup we are into the QF. 
 

Also our first loss since September so just chill out a bit yeah, we are not Man City yet.

They'd be happier tonight to be sitting 10th and out of the league cup just so long as we'd won tonight. Tomorrow and yesterday doesn't matter, just the instant gratification of not feeling bad this instant.

 

How many days since we restricted the best team in the country to a few half-chances on their own ground.

We only play that team because we've a very important game on Tuesday.

[Menace]

I genuinely can't believe we're third with the depth this squad has. We have a very decent core 11. The rest is championship tier at best. 

 

We're very fortunate to have him and people need a reminder we still have players like Hendrick on our pay roll.

 

Imagine in a few years when even our bench is full of players drilled exactly with how he wants them to play and are levels above the dross we currently have.

[McDog]

Just now, Jonas said:

They'd be happier tonight to be sitting 10th and out of the league cup just so long as we'd won tonight. Tomorrow and yesterday doesn't matter, just the instant gratification of not feeling bad this instant.

 

How many days since we restricted the best team in the country to a few half-chances on their own ground.

We only play that team because we've a very important game on Tuesday.

 

 

I struggle to call the League Cup important but getting some silverware and the goodwill and confidence it would generate I do get it. Getting to a cup final would be exciting for everyone.

[NEEJ]

36 minutes ago, RS said:

That result will drop us down the League significantly.  Being beaten by a third division team is a massive hit for morale

Aye, just like it did last time. We absolutely tanked, didn't we? 

[TheBrownBottle]

7 minutes ago, Jonas said:

They'd be happier tonight to be sitting 10th and out of the league cup just so long as we'd won tonight. Tomorrow and yesterday doesn't matter, just the instant gratification of not feeling bad this instant.

 

How many days since we restricted the best team in the country to a few half-chances on their own ground.

We only play that team because we've a very important game on Tuesday.

Straw man argument for me.  It’s hardly one or the other.

[Chris_R]

20 minutes ago, RS said:

35 minutes would have beat them.  Hereford these were not.  Bad decision unless it was to force some spending. 

 

What if it didn't? You wanted 35 minutes but we played most of our first team for the last 36 minutes (counting stoppage time) and only scored one. We also conceded one! So 35 minutes would have been no guarantee to beat them, because it didn't tonight.

 

For the other 60 minutes, our reserves lost 1-0. So, what if we'd done as you asked and started with the first team players, and were 1-1 after 35 minutes? What then? Keep them on? How long for? We've seen a 1 goal lead wouldn't be enough (Fancy our reserve players in a shootout? I don't), so surely you need at least 2? There's no guarantees in football. We could easily have gotten to 60-70 minutes without being 2 clear, then our players are fucked for the next match.

 

But then you have to play them in that one because if you cannot rest them for a FA Cup 3rd round match, you sure as fuck can't rest them for a LC Quarter Final. But because they're tired and playing PL opposition, they could easily lose that too. But they'll play the full 90 and so will be even more knackered to face Fulham, who we must beat to keep our top 4 ambitions alive.

 

You see the problem yet? We have a good first XI but a shit, paper-thin squad. We can't fight on all fronts this season, it's not possible.

 

 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Chris_R

[Theregulars]

I think we have 15 players who are up to standard. Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Bruno, Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, ASM, Wilson, Isak. 
 

Obviously we can’t just bin half a squad off that quickly, so we have to remove and replace over a few years. This is the inevitable price of being taken over from a position of significant weakness. 
 

As I said in the match thread, desperately unlucky that ASM, Shelvey and Targett were out, and that Isak was rusty.  
 

I’d hope that, sensibly, they add 1-2 players this month capable of filling in / competing for a first team place. It’s hard to find players in January to whom you can’t guarantee a start and whose clubs may not be willing sellers, or who may fully understand our weakness and shaft us on price. 
 

It’s just reality and it sucks today because it’s embarrassing to lose to a league 1 club. We’ve just got to rinse it off and focus on the tasks at hand now. 

[TheBrownBottle]

Just now, Theregulars said:

I think we have 15 players who are up to standard. Pope, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Schär, Targett, Shelvey, Bruno, Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, ASM, Wilson, Isak. 
 

Obviously we can’t just bin half a squad off that quickly, so we have to remove and replace over a few years. This is the inevitable price of being taken over from a position of significant weakness. 
 

As I said in the match thread, desperately unlucky that ASM, Shelvey and Targett were out, and that Isak was rusty.  
 

I’d hope that, sensibly, they add 1-2 players this month capable of filling in / competing for a first team place. It’s hard to find players in January to whom you can’t guarantee a start and whose clubs may not be willing sellers, or who may fully understand our weakness and shaft us on price. 
 

It’s just reality and it sucks today because it’s embarrassing to lose to a league 1 club. We’ve just got to rinse it off and focus on the tasks at hand now. 

Agreed - though I’d add Dubravka as a decent backup keeper (assuming he stays). 

[RS]

Let’s be honest. The man is performing premiership miracles. That team he put out against Sheffield wed would be rock bottom of the premier league. 
 

No giant killing when a second 11 is as bad as we have. Just embarrassing. 
 

 

[Theregulars]

8 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Agreed - though I’d add Dubravka as a decent backup keeper (assuming he stays). 

I’m not convinced about him at the moment; he’s made enough mistakes over the last 18 months to have the jury out. It’s compounded because we’ve been treated to 6 months of a great keeper, and it makes his shortcomings more obvious. I thought the Manchester United move was bizarre and it’s not done any favours to anybody, except loris karius’ bank balance.

 

But yeh, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to include him and make it 16. 

[TheBrownBottle]

Just now, Theregulars said:

I’m not convinced about him at the moment; he’s made enough mistakes over the last 18 months to have the jury out. It’s compounded because we’ve been treated to 6 months of a great keeper, and it makes his shortcomings more obvious. I thought the Manchester United move was bizarre and it’s not done any favours to anybody, except loris karius’ bank balance.

 

But yeh, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to include him and make it 16. 

With you 100% on all of that - but he’s ok as a squad player for me.  In complete agreement with your squad selections - which tells us we’re roughly eight in/out transfers away from being a really top squad

[Jonas]

51 minutes ago, McDog said:

 

 

I struggle to call the League Cup important but getting some silverware and the goodwill and confidence it would generate I do get it. Getting to a cup final would be exciting for everyone.

A League cup quarter-final is more important than an FA Cup 3rd round game surely to goodness.

Same vice-versa.

 

 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Jonas