Eddie Howe

[Gallowgate Toon]

He doesn't sound happy with the squad's fitness. Made comments about Fulham being superior in this regard right after the game, and more noises today about having to manage the style of the play due to various factors being managed behind the scenes.

[timeEd32]

24 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

This is why we need to get back to the press and forget the possession thing. When we spent all that money on Tonali we committed to the press.  He’s not going to our football Alexis MacAllister. But he can outrun and fight him. 

 

Good news straight from the manager's mouth...

 

"There's definitely been no shift in what we want. No, far from it. We want to step it up and improve it, so there's no part of us that's trying to retreat and become more reactive. So no, but then you look and our ability to do that hasn't been of the levels it's been in previous years and there's been a whole multitude of reasons for that. It's not maybe as simple as people think and I've been trying to manage that behind the scenes with the squad. But longer term I've got no doubts we'll get back to that style. Yeah, very quickly is of course the ideal."

 

It is quite clear that he is feeling disappointed and let down by some key players.

[KaKa]

12 minutes ago, timeEd32 said:

Eddie let loose today. I'd venture to say this is the most disappointed he's ever been with this squad.

 

"I think the players know - they are very honest with themselves as well. They know that last week wasn't good enough so that internal reflection can be really healthy and sometimes a performance like that can be actually healthy for the long term if you use it in the right way."

 

“It was one of those games where we analysed it a lot and we took away a lot from it to try and implement into our game. We didn’t like ourselves (and there was) some honest conversations this week so hopefully we'll respond. We always need to deliver. There's always that pressure but I do think we have a responsibility to show our true selves, to turn up and give our best. Last week was not a great reflection on our style or way of playing. We need to learn from it and come back stronger. We need to step up this weekend.”

 

"There's been a real re-focusing this week on how we train. The standards that we deliver in our training ... we have to stay on top of the small details." 

 

On having the points but lacking the performances: "I'd probably take that way at the moment where we've got the points but haven't performed because I know the quality's there, I know the individual ability is there, I know the collective spirit's there, but it's time to show it."

 

"Your collective performances are always defined by the individuals within it, so if your individual players aren't performing you're going to suffer, especially if they are in the important areas on the pitch that make the difference...everyone has a responsibility to try to be at their best in every game. We need people to step up within the team and that will have a galvanizing effect within the group."

 

"I think I would know given a blank sheet of paper and [you] say "write down what you think your best team is" I don't think that would be difficult for me, but the problem is you've got to justify your selections so those players have to be in their best moment, their best form. And what you can't do is pick that team if it doesn't deserve to play ... I think we're in that moment where early season players haven't been in their best form ... and we're at that stage now where I'm going to have to make some difficult decisions."

 

Really like the sound of all of that.

[Kanj]

That's my fucking manager. 

[Fak]

21 minutes ago, timeEd32 said:

… and we're at that stage now where I'm going to have to make some difficult decisions."

ie. Longstaff in for Bruno. 

[HayDen Traces]

Really hope we play with a focal point up top tomorrow. Just someone who can hold up play.

 

Assuming Isak cant play.

 

 

Edited September 27, 2024 by HayDen Traces

[Dokko]

Good man. Give them no place to hide.

[SUPERTOON]

Encouraging quotes, just a shame it’s City tomorrow.

[Dr.Spaceman]

So he didn't pick Sean and then instantly regretted it.

 

This season is going to be fun 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I didn’t pick up that bit. 

[Nine]

That’s the most honest interview he’s given here, no protecting anyone he just said it how it is. 
 

Think we’ll see a solid reaction tomorrow 

[gbandit]

Realistically he could have had some home truths to say to a bunch of our players: Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon being the main three but not many people other than Barnes have shown anything game to game

[TRon]

26 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Realistically he could have had some home truths to say to a bunch of our players: Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon being the main three but not many people other than Barnes have shown anything game to game

 

Even from the post match interviews he seemed really pissed off at our defending, and I don't think that would be just the back 4. The midfielders were really lacklustre in getting back when they were out of position and we ended up with masses of space for Iwobi and Smith Rowe to run into. All three of those you mentioned played some part in that.

[PauloGeordio]

9 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

Even from the post match interviews he seemed really pissed off at our defending, and I don't think that would be just the back 4. The midfielders were really lacklustre in getting back when they were out of position and we ended up with masses of space for Iwobi and Smith Rowe to run into. All three of those you mentioned played some part in that.

That gaping hole in midfield is not a new thing. It’s been there a long time. That’s in spite of any lacklustre performances.

[TRon]

11 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

That gaping hole in midfield is not a new thing. It’s been there a long time. That’s in spite of any lacklustre performances.

 

It looks a lot worse when we are half arsed about tracking back when we lose the ball.

[PauloGeordio]

20 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

It looks a lot worse when we are half arsed about tracking back when we lose the ball.

Players need to step up tomorrow, and the crowd! 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2024 by PauloGeordio

[Mahoneys Tache]

2 hours ago, Fak said:

ie. Longstaff in for Bruno. 

Barnes for Gordon. Tonali start. Good time for setting some boundaries since we’d probably lose at our best. 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2024 by Mahoneys Tache

[Dr.Spaceman]

2 hours ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I didn’t pick up that bit. 

 

I wasn't being serious 

[Crimson Cardigan]

3 hours ago, HayDen Traces said:

Really hope we play with a focal point up top tomorrow. Just someone who can hold up play.

 

Assuming Isak cant play.

 

 

 

Genuinely, without Isak and Wilson who would that player be?

[Fak]

2 minutes ago, Crimson Cardigan said:

Genuinely, without Isak and Wilson who would that player be?

Get him up top. 
 

[HayDen Traces]

11 minutes ago, Crimson Cardigan said:

Genuinely, without Isak and Wilson who would that player be?

We know its not Eddie's style to throw Osula in so how about big Joe as a target man then midfield 3 of Tonali, Bruno, Willock.

[Displayname]

How about we just fuck it and play with noone upfront.

[Hanshithispantz]

Retired surely.

[Pilko]

That first half felt a bit more cohesive in general I thought, despite the lack of a central striker and higher class opposition. Having Tonali in there definitely helps.

[The Butcher]

Canny second half