Eddie Howe

[Curva Sud Milano]

5 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I do agree that Wolt is a massively different profile to Wilson & Isak.

 

A big part of Howe team is verticality, direct play. Wolt doesn't want to play on the shoulder, he wants to drop. Isak could drop but he  was the spearhead of the attack running in behind. I think Etikite can lnk but he looks a threat in behind and being put rhough between CB and fullback.

 

Wolt changes the team dynamic a lot. I think Wissa could fit into the existing 433 better with. the personnel we have.

 

Now he will tell you that you have True Faith syndrome...

[Whitley mag]

1 hour ago, TRon said:

 

 

We need to win a couple of back to back games in this period just to stay in touch, otherwise the season might already be blown by the time Wissa is fit again. 

 

I know that sounds dramatic, but by that I mean CL qualification next year will be very difficult. I'm sure we could still make the lesser European places. 

Need to build momentum quickly, if we’d held on yesterday it would have been massive. Small margins in our 3 defeats against top tier opposition admittedly, but things snow ball quickly in football, next 2 games are big for the season.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2025 by Whitley mag

[TRon]

34 minutes ago, Whitley mag said:

Need to build momentum quickly, if we’d held on yesterday it would have been massive. Small margins in our 3 defeats against top tier opposition admittedly, but things snow ball quickly in football, next 2 games are big for the season.

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, when we were holding that lead with about 6mins to go, I was thinking this is massive, will put our season right back on track. Then in the space of 10mins that's all gone to shit. We just need to catch a break before it becomes a mountain to climb. 

[Skeletor]

I'm still fairly relaxed. We always start slowly and pull it round in the end. Yes we're probably not kicking on to the next level, but the rat is to blame for that. I think we'll all feel different when Wissa is back and we have guaranteed goals up front and the rest of the team settles into its rhythm. Our defence has kept a lot of clean sheets this season which is something to be excited about.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

50 minutes ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

Now he will tell you that you have True Faith syndrome...

You didn’t say he’s different to Isak and changes the dynamic. You said that he had attributes that Howe doesn’t want. 

[Super Duper Branko Strupar]

1 hour ago, gbandit said:

There is no successor to Isak. He’s not a player you just replace like for like. Woltemade is closer to him than Wissa but neither is particularly similar 

Whoever is obsessing over Woltemade's ability to be a successor to Isak is off their head, of course he isn't. He changes the way we play quite significantly. And we'll adapt, just like we did when Isak replaced Wilson. 

 

 

[Curva Sud Milano]

1 hour ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

You didn’t say he’s different to Isak and changes the dynamic. You said that he had attributes that Howe doesn’t want. 

 

2 hours ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

I'm not sure about this at all. Wolt is the exact opposite of Isaak, in my opinion.

 

[Mike]

5 hours ago, Shearergol said:

No they don't

 

Aye fuck you Ian how dare you.

[midds]

Mentioned it yesterday but it's been a really unusual season so far for us for loads of reasons and they're all loosely connected to ensure we've had so much frustration for months now. It also shouldn't be ignored that we've probably already played our 3 most difficult home games of the season and it's not even October yet. You're always going to rely on your home form for your bread and butter points but we've had the Cunts, Barca and Arsenal all at home - that's bound to skew things. We should have taken more points from them but at least they're out of the way, just get USG and Forest out of the way, hopefully 2 wins, get Ramsey and Wissa back, fingers crossed for Tino and the season feels like it's starting for the third and final time after the Internationals 

[Mole]

I don't think our Milan friend said anything that outlandish tbh. Bruno hasn't been very good, since watching the games again I have been highly unimpressed by all the midfield and wingers (except Tonali) 

 

I do think this summer's process leaved a lot to be desired and a change in system might actually be a good thing. I do think some things were slightly OTT in their delivery but in general I don't think he was massively wrong.

 

Doesn't mean things won't come good but I am surprised there's been such a pushback to what he said.

 

Having said that, I like Thiaw, Woltemade a lot so hopefully the other signings can prove their worth in time.

[Abacus]

2 hours ago, Curva Sud Milano said:

 

Given that Wolt is a great player, no doubt about that, I think Howe would have accepted any striker on the last available transfer window.

 

I don't much buy this. I think we wanted Ekitike either as a foil to or a replacement for Isak, not sure which. Didn't work out, but not for want of trying there.

 

Woltemade is an interesting one. I don't think he was a desperation move though I see it could  look that way - he described how he had been given a clear route to being the main striker, which isn't something you just think up on the fly. Wissa being injured has probably turned that plan upside down for now, but then you have to play the hand you're dealt.

 

With Woltemade, I think just everyone not just us assumed he was off to Bayern and were caught off guard that he was available. He's a development project for sure, but an exciting one. £30m or so like Bayern offered or a free next summer would have been a steal for them from what I'm seeing so far.

 

As for a direct Isak replacement there isn't one and never was, with Ekitike maybe the closest. It'll take us a while to gel, that's all. But if you lose a top class player (which I'll admit through gritted teeth Isak was), you're going to have to change how you play.

[Mahoneys Tache]

We start slow. It’ll get better and we’ll finish top five. 

[bobbydazzla]

Yesterday’s capitulation was a negative and right now I need two positives, one to cancel out the negative and another one so I can have a positive. 

[Famous Nick]

Howe knows if he doesnt win vs both Union and Forest then the start is really poor overall. we need to create more chances and simply have the wingers add end product, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga either become more prolific this season or we will struggle a lot. likely we wont have that purple patch season from Murphy again (8G+12A in PL in 24-25), Woltemade-Wissa has a ot on their plate to replace Isak's numbers, sadly none of our wingers seem to show any decent form apart from good 20-30 mins here and there but nothing consistent from match to match with end regular end product.

 

6 points from 6 games, well I expected better mid August. lot of room to improve, especially in possession. we just dont seems to have enough good ideas and and up hurry and make mistakes lose the ball etc. we aint gonna have same fitness levels like last season due to lots of extra games, away CL games especially will be draining.

 

somewhat easier games in next 6 in PL, Forest, Brighton, Fulhm, Spurs, West Ham, Brentford

[andycap]

When you play with woltemade you need runners Murphy isn't it he lacks confidence when put through. 

Elanga in the same situation he backs himself he is full of confidence when he can beat anyone for pace. 

[Danh1]

1 hour ago, andycap said:

When you play with woltemade you need runners Murphy isn't it he lacks confidence when put through. 

Elanga in the same situation he backs himself he is full of confidence when he can beat anyone for pace. 

Said the same yesterday, was disappointed Elanga didn’t start 

[MagPar]

4 hours ago, Super Duper Branko Strupar said:

Whoever is obsessing over Woltemade's ability to be a successor to Isak is off their head, of course he isn't. He changes the way we play quite significantly. And we'll adapt, just like we did when Isak replaced Wilson. 

 

 

How dare you call that cunt rat by his actual name. Shame on you. 

[Erikse]

11 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

Because Wilson was on fire?

 

Just like Murphy has been really good in the last year, hence why Elanga isn't going straight in as 1st choice every game? What's the big difference here? Wilson was on a dry run that started before Isak came back, and lasted for a while after he was back aswell, so he wasn't even on fire at that time. At a point we were asking for Howe to let Isak be the main man due to this.

 

You were confused about me stating that Elanga was getting similar treatment to Isak. They both had to fight their way into the team as new players competing against a solid player than knows the system well. Woltemade probably went straight in due to lack of good options, just like Isak pre injury. Isak still ended up in a similar situation as Elanga after the early injury.

 

 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Erikse

[andycap]

I don't know if it's just me but howe so far this season seems to be setting us up not to lose, Leeds Bournemouth arsenal them three games we've basically had no attacking intent because of his sudden defensive setup. 

[Pata]

On 29/09/2025 at 02:23, TheBrownBottle said:

I don’t think the performances have been there, and nor have the results.  We look absolutely toothless upfront, shaky at the back and the midfield disappears with frightening regularity.

 

But we’ve seen this before with Howe’s teams and it is early days yet - more than 90% of the season is still to go.  We should be a long way away from questioning Howe at this point. 

 

4 clean sheets in 6 but look shaky at the back? Tough crowd.

 

 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Pata

[Sibierski]

10 hours ago, andycap said:

When you play with woltemade you need runners Murphy isn't it he lacks confidence when put through. 

Elanga in the same situation he backs himself he is full of confidence when he can beat anyone for pace. 

 

The short term worry I have now with Elanga, he arrived with huge confidence, feeling he’s ready to step up and the recent games of being thrown on off the bench when the games are bit of a mess and we’re just smashing it aimlessly long to him as an outlet, will knock his confidence and he ends up doubting himself.

 

Why I’d prefer he just got a run of 5 starts, which coincides with playing with a striker. 

[TheBrownBottle]

1 hour ago, Pata said:

 

4 clean sheets in 6 but look shaky at the back? Tough crowd.

 

 

 

Sitting deep to cover your goalkeeper’s inability to kick a football in a straight line and ceding possession at the drop of a hat isn’t outstanding defending.  We’ve been playing cagey, defensive football all season and reaped the rewards for it.

 

But we’ll be fine this season, I’ve no doubt about that.  I’m just not going to deny what’s been in front of me. 

[Geordie Magpie]

This is a transition season in my opinion, last time we had Champions League we finished 7th and although we have  stronger squad depth this time, we have also lost the bulk of our goals losing Isak, so qualifying for any sort of European comp and cup runs/ a cup win would be a good season I think.

 

Will take us a bit of time to be able to compete in all four competitions at once.

 

Had a slow start but Once Eddie gets it right, we will get some good runs and end up having a good season.

[Lush Vlad]

13 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Sitting deep to cover your goalkeeper’s inability to kick a football in a straight line and ceding possession at the drop of a hat isn’t outstanding defending.  We’ve been playing cagey, defensive football all season and reaped the rewards for it.

 

But we’ll be fine this season, I’ve no doubt about that.  I’m just not going to deny what’s been in front of me. 

So we used to press high because Pope was so good at sweeping and covering the space in behind.
 

Then we had to sit deeper whenever Dubravka came in. As he was always rooted to his line and we got caught out with it a lot after the first Pope injury. Great with his feet in comparison, however. So you’d think we could press higher up. Owing to the fact he can kick in a straight line? 
 

Now we sit deep because Pope can’t kick it? He’s never been any good with his feet. So I’m not buying that’s the reason for the change. That doesn’t sound right at all.
 

I don’t actually disagree that we have been far too passive and negative. I just wonder if Howe is deliberately doing that to make us hard to beat. Before slowly trying to evolve and adapt. As we have lost some of our identity, for sure.
 

I suppose it does make some sense. We’ve had a disrupted pre-season, he’s trying to bed in some new players and whilst also having very good options at the back in comparison to midfield and attack. Whether due to the time here in the system or just more depth at each position. 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2025 by Lush Vlad

[TheBrownBottle]

21 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

So we used to press high because Pope was so good at sweeping and covering the space in behind.
 

Then we had to sit deeper whenever Dubravka came in. As he was always rooted to his line and we got caught out with it a lot after the first Pope injury. Great with his feet in comparison, however. So you’d think we could press higher up. Owing to the fact he can kick in a straight line? 
 

Now we sit deep because Pope can’t kick it? He’s never been any good with his feet. So I’m not buying that’s the reason for the change. That doesn’t sound right at all.
 

I don’t actually disagree that we have been far too passive and negative. I just wonder if Howe is deliberately doing that to make us hard to beat. Before slowly trying to evolve and adapt. As we have lost some of our identity, for sure.
 

I suppose it does make some sense. We’ve had a disrupted pre-season, he’s trying to bed in some new players and whilst also having very good options at the back in comparison to midfield and attack. Whether due to the time here in the system or just more depth at each position. 

 

 

 

Pope has stopped doing the sweeper-keeper role of late - not sure if it’s age, instruction or insecurity.  Which isn’t helping as we’re dropping deeper as a result.

 

I’m really surprised that Howe hasn’t tried Ramsdale yet, but I’ll happily say he knows far better than I do.