Eddie Howe

[Casey]

Couldn't disagree more with the formations-nonces. We played 4-3-3 from 60 mins onwards with fresh legs of Barnes, Elanga and Hall and we did not look any more threatening.

 

We have the same issues with breaking down 10 players behind the ball as always. No formation is gonna solve that. Midfield and wings lacked creativity nor did we play with the intensity we had vs Villa/Liverpool.

[Smal]

weird setup, no getting away from it.

[Pilko]

2 minutes ago, Casey said:

Couldn't disagree more with the formations-nonces. We played 4-3-3 from 60 mins onwards with fresh legs of Barnes, Elanga and Hall and we did not look any more threatening.

 

We have the same issues with breaking down 10 players behind the ball as always. No formation is gonna solve that. Midfield and wings lacked creativity nor did we play with the intensity we had vs Villa/Liverpool.

 

We've known that for years now. We chose to sign a big money pace merchant in Elanga rather than someone with some technical ability and shock, horror, he couldn't offer anything other than wafting a few balls out for goal kicks.

 

It wasn't the only problem tonight, of course.

[Gallowgate Toon]

All primed for big Eddie W streak after the break. Time with some more of the new lads who aren't on international duty, clarity on our summer business, Joelinton back in action, big Nick in the fold.

[Mountain]

6 minutes ago, Famous Nick said:

wonder if he should have made a move for Grealish on loan. he is normally an LW that trying to pick up AM positions. already assisted 4 goals at Everton at a much worse squad. would have been high salary but no loan fee, ad hee has a point to prove given how he was sidelined by Guardiola and also because its a WC year and now looks like he will give his all at Everton. can see him finishing high up on the assist list for the PL.

 

we dont really have similar player. Gordon and Elanga for me very similar wingers, mostly about speed, but sometimes a bit of pausa and thinking more would be great.

 

We should have got him.

 

Hopefully we can find a creative midfielder and another striker somewhere in the next 2 days because we sorely need them.

[gazza ladra]

OK with him trying a different formation. We need that flexibility. Rather that then the inflexibility of Amorim or Ange.

 

Also glad to see different starting 11. Keeping the squad sharp and not running the same 11 players into ground. Don't think the changes were all down to injuries. Need that to compete on four fronts.

 

Looking for positives today. Trust Eddie.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2025 by gazza ladra

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, Famous Nick said:

wonder if he should have made a move for Grealish on loan. he is normally an LW that trying to pick up AM positions. already assisted 4 goals at Everton at a much worse squad. would have been high salary but no loan fee, ad hee has a point to prove given how he was sidelined by Guardiola and also because its a WC year and now looks like he will give his all at Everton. can see him finishing high up on the assist list for the PL.

 

we dont really have similar player. Gordon and Elanga for me very similar wingers, mostly about speed, but sometimes a bit of pausa and thinking more would be great.

Just commented in the match thread I feel we need a Saint-Maximin/Ben Arfa player and Grealish is probably one of the few out there. Can only think it’s his age that’s the issue here. Really think we need someone who can single-handedly create something and with quality end product. Who else are out there of this style of player?

[Andy84]

2 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

All primed for big Eddie W streak after the break. Time with some more of the new lads who aren't on international duty, clarity on our summer business, Joelinton back in action, big Nick in the fold.

Course it is. A few on here never learn with this manager and what he does 

[adamjk007]

[Guest]

The level we want to be at though streaks is not going to bring us there. That said, I do think we are all still impacted by the Liverpool result. Striker situation in mind, had we come out of that match with at least a point as we should have then I think the atmosphere would be a lot more optimistic. Cant underestimate how that sucker punch must have felt losing that way.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2025 by Marxen the Mag

[buzza]

If he wanted to give minutes to botman he should have rested burn.

The formation was too negative, although tino gets Up and down the wing a lot he just doesn't offer much crossing or goal threat. Trippier on the other side was pretty ponderous and with only Murphy and osula- in front It seemed very rigid/forced and pretty easy to read.

Think we should keep the five at the back for the PSGs of this world and not the recently promoted pile of sh#t from yorkshire

[The College Dropout]

13 minutes ago, Casey said:

Couldn't disagree more with the formations-nonces. We played 4-3-3 from 60 mins onwards with fresh legs of Barnes, Elanga and Hall and we did not look any more threatening.

 

We have the same issues with breaking down 10 players behind the ball as always. No formation is gonna solve that. Midfield and wings lacked creativity nor did we play with the intensity we had vs Villa/Liverpool.

It sets us off ok the wrong foot. 

[Hanshithispantz]

It never worked today but I hope it's a sign of him using different systems and personnel more throughout the season rather than purely through injury and Arsenal.

[Kid Icarus]

Don't blame him for switching things up when you step back and think about the circumstances 

[joeyt]

The formation could have worked with Hall on the left - thought he would have foreseen that side would be a real issue

[The College Dropout]

41 minutes ago, joeyt said:

The formation could have worked with Hall on the left - thought he would have foreseen that side would be a real issue

Nah.  It was a hot mess. Murphy and Ramsey didn’t know what they were doing or what to do. 

[gazza ladra]

1 hour ago, adamjk007 said:

Burying the lede, I think.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2025 by gazza ladra

[Heron]

1 hour ago, adamjk007 said:

 

We've played Arsenal (a), Villa (a) and Leeds (a) without a proven PL striker. Desperate attempt at saving Bruce some face from the Beeb like.

[andycap]

The formation shouldn't of mattered today it was his players that were under par not his formation. 

[TheInfiniteOdyssey]

Never looked comfortable at all today, midfield were sloppy but how much of that was the lack of viable outlets to move the ball to? Against a better side, we lose that today. 
 

 

[Rod]

2 hours ago, Casey said:

Couldn't disagree more with the formations-nonces. We played 4-3-3 from 60 mins onwards with fresh legs of Barnes, Elanga and Hall and we did not look any more threatening.

 

We have the same issues with breaking down 10 players behind the ball as always. No formation is gonna solve that. Midfield and wings lacked creativity nor did we play with the intensity we had vs Villa/Liverpool.

We more or less dominated when we put Burn where he belongs, Tino at right back, Lewis Hall at left back AND two natural wide men.

The first half formation was shite!

[500bhp]

The guy's a legend as he delivered that trophy last March. But FFS try something different to 5 at the back when Big Joe is not playing. 

[huss9]

now looks like this season is going to be more of a transitional one rather than the transformational one we (and Eddie) thought it would be.

[ryanegg]

7 minutes ago, huss9 said:

now looks like this season is going to be more of a transitional one rather than the transformational one we (and Eddie) thought it would be.

 

Can't say that 3 games in. Would you have said that after the effort on Monday night?

[Toonjam88]

4 hours ago, adamjk007 said:

I mean that doesn’t take into account Bruce didn’t have a cunt who refused to play who could have probably scored a few goals. I’m hoping you are taking the piss? If not well 🤦🏻