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4 minutes ago, Ellis H said:

If Howe’s ultimate “live or die” remit is Europe then he’s not getting sacked anytime soon. Yes, the bigger picture doesn’t look like a masterpiece but it’s a points business and we’re doing fine there.

 

It’s also worth noting Palace have drawn with Chelsea, Man Utd, Villa and now us and have beaten Tottenham this season (knocked Villa out the cup as well). Those are the teams that will realistically be challenging for the top 4 and sums up how inconsistent all bar 3 teams have been in recent years. Ipswich have taken 4 points off Man Utd and Tottenham in the last 2 weeks as another recent example. Inconsistency isn’t just a Howe/us problem, most teams suffer from it now and they don’t have the answers either. 


It’s definitely an odd season so that combined with a disastrous summer are things that go in favour of Howe.

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9 hours ago, astraguy said:

what a post by @thelittlemans
image.thumb.png.0dea7c2943523ae1e643f12710afaa6f.png


That’s all fair and valid, but does smacks loads of head in sand and ignore what’s happening during the games when they say “but sadly we conceded a last-minute goal and got an away point”, makes it sound like it was an unfortunate game :D 

 

 

Edited by Sibierski

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The Tonali thing I really can't get my head around.

 

By all accounts, Howe massively rated him. Obviously what happened last season he couldn't have seen coming but Tonali has had the best part of a year just training. How has he not worked out what to do with him?

 

It's all well and good questioning the balance of the squad but Eddie's fingerprints are all over it, that's undeniable, and he has to take his share of the responsibility too.

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Just now, Keegans Export said:

The Tonali thing I really can't get my head around.

 

By all accounts, Howe massively rated him. Obviously what happened last season he couldn't have seen coming but Tonali has had the best part of a year just training. How has he not worked out what to do with him?

 

It's all well and good questioning the balance of the squad but Eddie's fingerprints are all over it, that's undeniable, and he has to take his share of the responsibility too.


Yeah it’s an odd one but he does often take ages bedding players in, Bruno for example. Hopefully yesterday has finally shown him he has to start him now, has to, he’s too good to leave him on the bench.

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My growing concerns about him are that the issues with our play have been going on for over a year now and he doesn't seem to have an answer for it. He is just doubling down and doing the same thing with diminishing results. Additionally why haven't we strengthened the team significantly in the last 3 windows? How much of that is him vetoing players and causing a stalemate. I mean on one hand he's saying we can't spend money we don't have, but then we pursue Guehi like lunatics with no financial sense.

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2 minutes ago, Skeletor said:

My growing concerns about him are that the issues with our play have been going on for over a year now and he doesn't seem to have an answer for it. He is just doubling down and doing the same thing with diminishing results. Additionally why haven't we strengthened the team significantly in the last 3 windows? How much of that is him vetoing players and causing a stalemate. I mean on one hand he's saying we can't spend money we don't have, but then we pursue Guehi like lunatics with no financial sense.


January is very important but for me it does feel like things are going to come to a head this season one way or another. He’ll either manage to pull if round and get us playing again going forward (maybe with a new RW) or we’ll continue to be really inconsistent and finish outside Europe and he’ll be removed. I agree there have been issues with our play creeping in for a while now.

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7 hours ago, JEToon said:


OK  

 

we currently, even with what we have won, sit 3 points off a European place.


“10th” means fuck all without context of the league,  it’s tedious to keep saying “10th”  when Spurs and Villa are “8th” and “9th” 


The teams above us for the most part haven’t show they are “far more capable”  hence why the league is so close or they’d have left pishy old us in the dust. Instead they also drop points to teams they shouldn’t as this league is marginal as fuck across about 14 teams. 

 

its gate keeping projection pish - other teams might improve? but we just can’t possibly do that, it’s so weird to think like that, but you keep hoping for the worst. 
 

until we actually are shite can you stop pretending we are, it’s strange as fuck to do that. 

 

 

 

Pretending we are?! What have you been watching because it’s clearly not the same games I, and most others have.

Describe our current identity and attacking gameplan? How are we trying to break teams down?

 

As I have said a hundred times on here, I have made no secret of the fact I don’t think Eddie is the guy to take us to the next level. I love him as a person but I think he has already reached his ceiling and bounced off it. 
Am I willing him to fail? No, of course not. Like everyone, I am willing him to succeed. 

But do I think we need minor tweaks to go on a winning run that secures European football? again no. I think we need a whole new gameplan.

Nothing we are seeing suggests we are close.

Do I think Eddie is the kind of guy and manager to rip up the script and do something radically different to give us fresh impetus? No, but I seriously hope he proves me wrong, and if he does I will happily eat humble pie.

 

As things stand, the only way I see us getting back to our best is with new signings.

 

i respect and admire your optimism but I don’t share it. There are too many red flags starting to show.

 

 

 

Edited by Holmesy

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8 minutes ago, ExiledGeordie said:


Yeah it’s an odd one but he does often take ages bedding players in, Bruno for example. Hopefully yesterday has finally shown him he has to start him now, has to, he’s too good to leave him on the bench.

That's what I mean though, he's not been injured. He played 12 games before his ban, he's been available for 13 games since he's come back. All that time in the middle he's been training with the first team (unless there's an injury that hadn't been reported) so how long does he need to work out what his strengths are and how to work him into the side?

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Ultimately, it's for our owners/board to decide and I actually think that decision has already been made and he'll be gone in the summer unless he wins something or gets CL football (let alone Europe).

 

I wholeheartedly disagree with that stance but I think that's where the club is at and Mitchell will get his man. The departure of Mehrdad and Amanda and last summer all point towards that.

 

The club hasn't been ran as "Champions" there have been some stumbling blocks and some incorrect situations and decisions made which have impacted Howe and the playing squad. He'll just be the fall guy for it all.

 

He hasn't got answers at the moment and performances have been slipping and he needs to be held accountable for some of that but ultimately key players also aren't performing and they must own that too. Everyone must own their own areas. I'm sure internally Howe and the playing staff do, they just aren't publicising it (rightly so).

 

Howe needs to find some solutions to prevent the above situation developing and I desperately hope he does.

 

I just think as supporters are role a present is to support and be thankful and respectful enough to Howe to back him and give him the best chance we can of succeeding as he has done for us on his tenure. Not showing him the door at what is really the first opportunity.

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7 minutes ago, Keegans Export said:

That's what I mean though, he's not been injured. He played 12 games before his ban, he's been available for 13 games since he's come back. All that time in the middle he's been training with the first team (unless there's an injury that hadn't been reported) so how long does he need to work out what his strengths are and how to work him into the side?


Agreed, I think Howe is far too cautious in situations like this. Hes an Italian international not a young lad who needs to be carefully managed. We and Howe can’t afford to have a 55m midfield sat on the bench ffs.

 

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4 minutes ago, Heron said:

Ultimately, it's for our owners/board to decide and I actually think that decision has already been made and he'll be gone in the summer unless he wins something or gets CL football (let alone Europe).

 

I wholeheartedly disagree with that stance but I think that's where the club is at and Mitchell will get his man. The departure of Mehrdad and Amanda and last summer all point towards that.

 

The club hasn't been ran as "Champions" there have been some stumbling blocks and some incorrect situations and decisions made which have impacted Howe and the playing squad. He'll just be the fall guy for it all.

 

He hasn't got answers at the moment and performances have been slipping and he needs to be held accountable for some of that but ultimately key players also aren't performing and they must own that too. Everyone must own their own areas. I'm sure internally Howe and the playing staff do, they just aren't publicising it (rightly so).

 

Howe needs to find some solutions to prevent the above situation developing and I desperately hope he does.

 

I just think as supporters are role a present is to support and be thankful and respectful enough to Howe to back him and give him the best chance we can of succeeding as he has done for us on his tenure. Not showing him the door at what is really the first opportunity.

I agree with all of this tbf.

 

I've thought a lot about the Mitchell/Howe thing and I've said before, I think a squad "reset" is coming. One or more of the "purples" will be sold and that will fund a squad refresh. The question is, do the owners trust Howe to have another crack at it?

 

On the last paragraph, definitely. I have the same attitude towards players, if I think they've had a crap game or whatever I'll slag them off on here or in other private conversation, but I'll never call them out directly (eg social media) and I'll always give Howe and the players 100% backing whenever I'm at a game.

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It didn’t start well this summer, from that PSR debacle,Staveley leaving, Mitchell and then a really poor window has caused a real malaise around the club.  I still think he’ll come up with the answers because he’s proven he can time and time again.  Still think we will be around the top 6 come the business end of the season but that may still not be enough for him.  We could really do with a boost in January with a signing.  

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1 minute ago, Keegans Export said:

I agree with all of this tbf.

 

I've thought a lot about the Mitchell/Howe thing and I've said before, I think a squad "reset" is coming. One or more of the "purples" will be sold and that will fund a squad refresh. The question is, do the owners trust Howe to have another crack at it?

 

On the last paragraph, definitely. I have the same attitude towards players, if I think they've had a crap game or whatever I'll slag them off on here or in other private conversation, but I'll never call them out directly (eg social media) and I'll always give Howe and the players 100% backing whenever I'm at a game.


I was just thinking this pottering about and sulking after yesterday’s game. I think one, possibly two of our big name players will be on their way in the summer. Especially if we don’t get Europe. 
 

With what they are worth to us and the market as it is with FFP. I’m not sure there will be a huge market for say Bruno or Gordon. Isak is different. You’d imagine the elite level clubs will all be interested. But his injury record is starting to look patchy and he’d cost so much. I wonder if clubs would pull the trigger at say £100-120m?

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4 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:


I was just thinking this pottering about and sulking after yesterday’s game. I think one, possibly two of our big name players will be on their way in the summer. Especially if we don’t get Europe. 
 

With what they are worth to us and the market as it is with FFP. I’m not sure there will be a huge market for say Bruno or Gordon. Isak is different. You’d imagine the elite level clubs will all be interested. But his injury record is starting to look patchy and he’d cost so much. I wonder if clubs would pull the trigger at say £100-120m?


Yeah I don’t think it’s beyond the realms that both Bruno and Isak go next summer and we have a massive reboot. 

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14 minutes ago, Keegans Export said:

I agree with all of this tbf.

 

I've thought a lot about the Mitchell/Howe thing and I've said before, I think a squad "reset" is coming. One or more of the "purples" will be sold and that will fund a squad refresh. The question is, do the owners trust Howe to have another crack at it?

 

On the last paragraph, definitely. I have the same attitude towards players, if I think they've had a crap game or whatever I'll slag them off on here or in other private conversation, but I'll never call them out directly (eg social media) and I'll always give Howe and the players 100% backing whenever I'm at a game.

This is an interesting bit. You're right to do it this way too.

 

I just tend to combat it online because I think it manifests into something more which enters the stadium. I feel others probably do the same.

 

It is right that everyone has their opinions and can voice them and they're considered but far too much online (particularly social media) isn't actually objective (not saying you here - in general - about everything in life). It's all polarised shite and I think folk on both sides bicker to keep it at their door rather than letting any in.

 

Plenty reasonable discussion and debate on here. Thankfully. However, the odd absolutely bizarre and frankly stupid remarks in between.

 

Even seen Howe called a "fraud" yesterday elsewhere. Horrendous take.

 

 

Edited by Heron

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22 minutes ago, Holmesy said:

Pretending we are?! What have you been watching because it’s clearly not the same games I, and most others have.

Describe our current identity and attacking gameplan? How are we trying to break teams down?

 

As I have said a hundred times on here, I have made no secret of the fact I don’t think Eddie is the guy to take us to the next level. I love him as a person but I think he has already reached his ceiling and bounced off it. 
Am I willing him to fail? No, of course not. Like everyone, I am willing him to succeed. 

But do I think we need minor tweaks to go on a winning run that secures European football? again no. I think we need a whole new gameplan.

Nothing we are seeing suggests we are close.

Do I think Eddie is the kind of guy and manager to rip up the script and do something radically different to give us fresh impetus? No, but I seriously hope he proves me wrong, and if he does I will happily eat humble pie.

 

As things stand, the only way I see us getting back to our best is with new signings.

 

i respect and admire your optimism but I don’t share it. There are too many red flags starting to show.

 

 

 

 


Its rare for all but about 3 teams in the league to go on a winning run in all honesty, it’s a bit of a false opposition, it’s predominantly about points collection which we are still doing at a reasonable rate, can that improve, of course. The season really isn’t the dumpster fire you’re trying to push here. 
 

He’s a good coach and demonstrated that often enough

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We looked at the bigger picture with Pardew, we looked at the bigger picture with Bruce but when it comes to Eddie Howe we're not allowed to do that and we just have to be happy that we're not fighting relegation.

 

I'm not for one second saying Eddie is anywhere near their levels, he's not, he's several levels above, but we shouldn't move the goalposts just because we like the guy.

 

 

Edited by Dr.Spaceman

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1 minute ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

We looked at the bigger picture with Pardew, we looked at the bigger picture with Bruce but when it comes to Eddie Howe we're not allowed to do that and we just have to be happy that we're not fighting relegation.

 

I'm not for one second saying Eddie is anywhere near their levels, he's not, he's several levels above, but we can't move the goalposts just because we like the guy.

 

He’s miles above them to be fair but I get your point. Goes back to the polarised thing - you can have serious questions but not demanding him to be sacked. 

 

 

Edited by ExiledGeordie

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2 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

We looked at the bigger picture with Pardew, we looked at the bigger picture with Bruce but when it comes to Eddie Howe we're not allowed to do that and we just have to be happy that we're not fighting relegation.

 

I'm not for one second saying Eddie is anywhere near their levels, he's not, he's several levels above, but we can't move the goalposts just because we like the guy.


Look at the bigger picture with Howe, it will be a lot better than the one with Bruce and Pardew even making mention of them is daft, the bigger picture extends to the body of work he’s put up which has been predominantly good hence he has credit in the bank with a lot of fans. 

 

We also aren’t just not fighting relegation, we are in a fight for the goals of the season which would, you’d expect, have been a European push and a trophy. 

 

 

Edited by JEToon

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2 minutes ago, ExiledGeordie said:

 

He’s miles above them to be fair but I get your point. Goes back to the polarised thing - you can have serious questions but not demanding him to be sacked. 

 

 

 

 

Yep. I'm in the camp where I don't want him sacked because I think he's someone we can ride peaks and troughs with, and we're still trying to understand where we should be as a club right now with several big moments just round the corner (new stadium, league rule changes). Plus I don't think we'll be able to attract a better manager right now, someone who we can envisage being at the club for longer than 3 years. I don't want an Ancelotti at Everton situation where we bring someone in who is just waiting for a better opportunity to present itself, I want Eddie Howe or someone like him to be working with everyone at the club, pulling in the same direction for the next 6/7 years.

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8 minutes ago, JEToon said:


Look at the bigger picture with Howe, it will be a lot better than the one with Bruce and Pardew even making mention of them is daft, the bigger picture extends to the body of work he’s put up which has been predominantly good hence he has credit in the bank with a lot of fans. 

 

We also aren’t just not fighting relegation, we are in a fight for the goals of the season which would, you’d expect, have been a European push and a trophy. 

 

 

 

 

It would be better with a cardboard cutout in charge of the team, but that's not the point.

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Just now, Dr.Spaceman said:

 

It would be better with a cardboard cutout in charge of the team, but that's not the point.


So the point is just a bit crap then, sound 

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I want to see him lift a trophy with us and don't want him sacked. 

 

What I want him to do is be way better than he currently is, and to address the issues those of us whose eyes aren't painted on can see. 

 

 

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1 hour ago, Keegans Export said:

The Tonali thing I really can't get my head around.

 

By all accounts, Howe massively rated him. Obviously what happened last season he couldn't have seen coming but Tonali has had the best part of a year just training. How has he not worked out what to do with him?

Surely if you are buying such a player you have a position/tactic in mind - the same goes for Barnes. 

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