Eddie Howe

[Geordie Ahmed]

36 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

No one questioning a manager should be accused of being a mug when we’ve won 2 out of 8 PL games with some pretty comfortable looking fixtures. Fans are always entitled to ask questions. You can love the bloke and not be sure he’s the right fit long term.
 

Out of curiosity what will happen, in your opinion, in the next 8-10 months?

 

 

 

 

Are you not sure he's the right fit long term?

 

I'm absolutely convinced that he is

 

As for the next 8-10 months, for me it's a case of get this season out of the way, back him in the summer by making a few additions (obvious areas of weakness are RW, LB and Striker situation due to injury prone players) and I think we start the next season well and we'll be amongst the mix for a top 4 race (subject to just having a normal injury situation of course)

[Displayname]

1 hour ago, LiquidAK said:

You can see how that's just hindsight though surely? He'd have gotten pelters if he rested players for kids and we lost perceived winnable games as a result, or if we whimpered out of the CL rather than being an inch away from qualifying.

First of all the manager should not make decision based on how fans will react, so thats really not a good arguement even if it were true. 

 

And you can call it hindsight, but I thought it was pretty clear early on that it wasnt going to end well playing the same players 90 minutes twice a week for an extended period of time. Even after they showed clear signs of fatigue.

Wouldnt play kids in the CL though, but used them as subs in the PL and let them have full games in the league cup.

 

[LiquidAK]

3 minutes ago, Displayname said:

First of all the manager should not make decision based on how fans will react, so thats really not a good arguement even if it were true. 

 

And you can call it hindsight, but I thought it was pretty clear early on that it wasnt going to end well playing the same players 90 minutes twice a week for an extended period of time. Even after they showed clear signs of fatigue.

Wouldnt play kids in the CL though, but used them as subs in the PL and let them have full games in the league cup.

 

Not even close to suggesting that, thankfully I doubt he gives a fuck what some of the more reactionary loons think 

[STM]

1 hour ago, Ronaldo said:

No one questioning a manager should be accused of being a mug when we’ve won 2 out of 8 PL games with some pretty comfortable looking fixtures. Fans are always entitled to ask questions. You can love the bloke and not be sure he’s the right fit long term.
 

Out of curiosity what will happen, in your opinion, in the next 8-10 months?

 

 

 

 

Why exactly is he not a right fit long term?

 

Give me the manager who you'd sack and replace him with?

 

Should Liverpool fans have question Klopp at Xmas last year? 

 

Of course fans are allowed to question Howe but if you do, your arguement needs to be watertight given what's he's done since he walked through the door.

 

What I see, is a bunch of entitled pathetic fans not dealing with a rough patch... an easily explained rough patch no less.

 

 

[STM]

45 minutes ago, Geordie Ahmed said:

 

Are you not sure he's the right fit long term?

 

I'm absolutely convinced that he is

 

As for the next 8-10 months, for me it's a case of get this season out of the way, back him in the summer by making a few additions (obvious areas of weakness are RW, LB and Striker situation due to injury prone players) and I think we start the next season well and we'll be amongst the mix for a top 4 race (subject to just having a normal injury situation of course)

Don't worry, 90% of our fans are fully behind, even if they are slightly frustrated at the moment.

 

Of course the 90% might be wrong. They may have backed the wrong horse but you will notice the 10% won't be able to give you a viable alternative.

[Thumbheed]

If you're expectations were for us to be 6th or higher minimum then I can understand why you'd ben questioning Howe's future both short and long term but I'm going to question how grounded your reality actually is, especially with the injuries we've had this year.

 

If you were happy with us getting 7th this year and felt that was a realistic acheivment, then you have to accept the performance that come with getting that position.

 

We're 8th.

[SUPERTOON]

Just now, Thumbheed said:

If you're expectations were for us to be 6th or higher minimum then I can understand why you'd ben questioning Howe's future both short and long term but I'm going to question how grounded your reality actually is, especially with the injuries we've had this year.

 

If you were happy with us getting 7th this year and felt that was a realistic acheivment, then you have to accept the performance that come with getting that position.

 

We're 8th.

Aye although if we continue with current performances we won’t stay there. Hopefully returning players will help us improve of course.

[Vinny Green Balls]

9 minutes ago, STM said:

Don't worry, 90% of our fans are fully behind, even if they are slightly frustrated at the moment.

 

Of course the 90% might be wrong. They may have backed the wrong horse but you will notice the 10% won't be able to give you a viable alternative.

Klopp on odd years and Pep on even years.

[Myleftboot]

He needs to be judged when we have a full squad back.

[Ronaldo]

3 hours ago, Geordie Ahmed said:

 

Are you not sure he's the right fit long term?

 

I'm absolutely convinced that he is

 

As for the next 8-10 months, for me it's a case of get this season out of the way, back him in the summer by making a few additions (obvious areas of weakness are RW, LB and Striker situation due to injury prone players) and I think we start the next season well and we'll be amongst the mix for a top 4 race (subject to just having a normal injury situation of course)

No, I still hope he is the right fit long term. I’m far from sure of it but he’s absolutely what we needed for stage 1 and I’ll always appreciate his hard work. 

[Ashley17]

7 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

No, I still hope he is the right fit long term. I’m far from sure of it but he’s absolutely what we needed for stage 1 and I’ll always appreciate his hard work. 

I think that’s fair. It’s frustrating because he obviously got us to “stage 2” ahead of schedule and now it’s probably conceivable that we are back in stage 1. You have to believe things would have turned out differently were it not for injuries but how much of that was down to the workload and way we play is probably a debate for another day. He’s been the same since arriving in that we are going to play his way regardless of who is available. We took some hidings in the first few months and some of the recent spell has reminded me of that.-I think that’s commendable to a point but he needs to show some flexibility for a plan B. 
 

Crazy that we have beaten Man Utd home and away, Villa home and away, Man City, Arsenal, PSG, the mackems…yet it’s been a pretty average season for end results.

[Upthemags]

Eddie will be sacked if next season is a repeat of this one. Think most, if not effectively all fans, though, agree that his credit in the bank has earned him this season as a wash.

 

Doesn't matter to me, as far as Eddie is concerned, whether we finish 8th or 13th this season. He deserves a crack with a fresh roster and reinforcements next season.

[madras]

1 hour ago, Upthemags said:

Eddie will be sacked if next season is a repeat of this one. Think most, if not effectively all fans, though, agree that his credit in the bank has earned him this season as a wash.

 

Doesn't matter to me, as far as Eddie is concerned, whether we finish 8th or 13th this season. He deserves a crack with a fresh roster and reinforcements next season.

There will only be a repeat of this seasons results if we get a repeat of the bizarre injuries.

[PCW1983]

1 minute ago, madras said:

There will only be a repeat of this seasons results if we get a repeat of the bizarre injuries.

I still feel that not qualifying for Europe is unacceptable and it’ll carry some damaging consequences for us in terms of stature, attraction and retention. 
im not saying that he should lose his job if we fail to qualify for Europe but if it was my club, the conversation would have to be had because for all there has been some injury anomalies that’s not the only cause of some poor performances. 

[madras]

2 minutes ago, PCW1983 said:

I still feel that not qualifying for Europe is unacceptable and it’ll carry some damaging consequences for us in terms of stature, attraction and retention. 
im not saying that he should lose his job if we fail to qualify for Europe but if it was my club, the conversation would have to be had because for all there has been some injury anomalies that’s not the only cause of some poor performances. 

It is but the context of why the situation occurs has to be taken into account.

[Coffee_Johnny]

Thought it might be helpful to compare EH’s record, to date, with our most successful PL era managers. League games only. 

Season by season breakdown in the spoiler (*end of season position shown in italics/brackets for partial seasons).

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited February 19 by Coffee_Johnny
Corrected

[Kid Icarus]

50 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

Thought it might be helpful to compare EH’s record, to date, with our most successful PL era managers. League games only. 

 

Season by season breakdown in the spoiler (apols formatting gone to pot).

  Hide contents

 

 

Think it's won 11 lost 10 this season mate

[Dr Jinx]

On 18/02/2024 at 08:03, Lush Vlad said:

Jinx is desperate for Howe to fail and get moved on. Been consistent and got in early with his dislike of Howe, at least. So can’t even call him knee jerk. 

You’re way off there. I like Howe and I want him to succeed, I’m just not seeing improvement.. he’s getting basic stuff wrong week on week now.

 

Teams have figured out that just passing the ball through our flat midfield gives an opportunity to run at our defence. It happens multiple times every game now.. have we adjusted for it? Nope..

 

Got a pacey forward or winger? Boot it up to the left back position and watch Dan Burn curl up in the fetal position. Have we adjusted for it? Nope.

 

They say even Jose Mourinho is only good for 2 seasons at a club before it goes pear shaped.. why does that not apply to Eddie Howe when the signs are there?

 

Just because he’s not having a pop at journos, referees and other managers (or even our players) doesn’t mean he’s not mentally and emotionally spent after the achievements of the previous 2 seasons.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

That's only two mistakes TBF, and it's without a whole team of players in crucial positions. 

[Dr Jinx]

5 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

That's only two mistakes TBF, and it's without a whole team of players in crucial positions. 

Same mistakes week in week out. We have gotten worse with the players that are out there.

 

No way that team should be losing to Bournemouth 

[OverThere]

9 minutes ago, Dr Jinx said:

You’re way off there. I like Howe and I want him to succeed, I’m just not seeing improvement.. he’s getting basic stuff wrong week on week now.

 

Teams have figured out that just passing the ball through our flat midfield gives an opportunity to run at our defence. It happens multiple times every game now.. have we adjusted for it? Nope..

 

Got a pacey forward or winger? Boot it up to the left back position and watch Dan Burn curl up in the fetal position. Have we adjusted for it? Nope.

 

They say even Jose Mourinho is only good for 2 seasons at a club before it goes pear shaped.. why does that not apply to Eddie Howe when the signs are there?

 

Just because he’s not having a pop at journos, referees and other managers (or even our players) doesn’t mean he’s not mentally and emotionally spent after the achievements of the previous 2 seasons.

I'm about at the same position. I really hope to see some evolution in terms of reacting to obvious issues.  Even just to confuse the opposition, changing  this LB situation would seem to be an obvious tweak. I hope he can be a bit more adaptable, and fingers crossed he can otherwise that elite level will be beyond him IMO.

 

 

Edited February 19 by OverThere

[kingxlnc]

Seriously. Too much knee-jerk. While Howe can certainly learn a thing or two and being more adaptable and flexible, no-one can deny that when the team was not injured, they were up there in terms of dominating games etc. In fact, I think NUFC would be a dark horse for the title next year providing the recruitment is right, as we can see with the team available, Howe is capable of getting them to perform at an excellent level. Even some of the losses earlier in the season were highly unlucky (e.g Liverpool). With the amount of bad luck this season, that will even out next season I'm sure. They'll get 60+points this season, and I think 80+ next year. 

 

[Yorkie]

I honestly find it mind-blowing that anyone has changed their perception of Howe - and whether or not he is 'elite' or whether or not he's capable of evolving - based on one very specific matter, i.e. his continued selection of a LB who's been an ever-present in a team which: soared into 4th, got to a cup final, performed admirably in the Champions League, and is in contention for European places again. 

 

I appreciate that the context has changed and a good idea isn't a good idea forever, but you can surely at least recognise that continuing to pick him isn't 'a basic error.' It's a tactical choice designed to benefit our structure when we're in possession and/or attacking. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I wanted Burn and Longstaff dropped even when we were flying, I don't rate them. But it's not a factor in whether I think Eddie Howe is an amazing manager or not. He is, he's proven to be, he's proven to be a student of the game and someone who never stops learning. I would swap him for Pep and that's it.

 

I don't expect the manager to make the same decisions that a fan would make. 

 

We had impossible fixtures followed by impossible injuries, that is the story of this season. 

 

 

Edited February 19 by AyeDubbleYoo

[Gallowgate Toon]

Howe is tweaking things in-game every game at the minute, like. I'd actually suggest he's potentially overdoing it with the midfield more than anything - Bruno/Miley/Longstaff all played one another's positions for decent chunks on Saturday, as an example. Sometimes 3-2/2-2/3-1 defensive to midfield structures etc. Switching Up front, Gordon/Barnes/Murphy all played at striker for decent chunks too 

 

There isn't a magic formation bullet while keeping the current style of play imo - the short blanket will always remain and fan frustrations come to the fore in other ways. His options are to regress approach for a short-term so we're closer to 21/22 where we sit deeper as a team and break or look for solutions based on the system he's been evolving for 18+ months & beyond but accept it'll be messier while we're down on personnel.

 

 

Edited February 19 by Gallowgate Toon