Eddie Howe

[timeEd32]

From an Athletic article about Spurs / Thomas Frank:

 

Quote

It is not hard to spot the change in style and emphasis at Tottenham this season. Away from proactive expansive possession, full-backs attacking through the middle, risk-taking on the ball. Towards stability in the middle of the pitch, Bentancur and Palhinha, maintaining shape in possession and maximising set pieces.

 

But what is true of Tottenham is true of the league at large. Look at Arsenal, who have gone from playing open possession football to being the best defensive team and best set-piece team in the world. Even City themselves have stepped back from the pure possession game, replacing Ederson with Gianluigi Donnarumma, effectively turning the clock back 10 years in the process. Their game is now about getting the ball to their physically dominant No 9 as quickly and as often as possible. Everywhere you look, teams are going direct, focusing on set pieces, teaching their players how to throw the ball long again. The game has changed faster than anyone could have imagined, and in the opposite direction.

 

Feel like Eddie was ahead of the curve on some of this (and criticized for it). I think we've tried for multiple years to put an emphasis on set pieces also; we just haven't quite cracked it.

[Ronaldo]

2 hours ago, timeEd32 said:

From an Athletic article about Spurs / Thomas Frank:

 

 

Feel like Eddie was ahead of the curve on some of this (and criticized for it). I think we've tried for multiple years to put an emphasis on set pieces also; we just haven't quite cracked it.

Because we haven’t signed a set piece specialist or notable attackers of the ball from dead ball situations - or even attempted to. I really can’t agree that we’ve tried to move in that direction at all.

[timeEd32]

2 hours ago, Ronaldo said:

Because we haven’t signed a set piece specialist or notable attackers of the ball from dead ball situations - or even attempted to. I really can’t agree that we’ve tried to move in that direction at all.

 

I meant this part in terms of what we've done and done well:

 

Even City themselves have stepped back from the pure possession game, replacing Ederson with Gianluigi Donnarumma, effectively turning the clock back 10 years in the process. Their game is now about getting the ball to their physically dominant No 9 as quickly and as often as possible. Everywhere you look, teams are going direct,

[TheBrownBottle]

11 minutes ago, timeEd32 said:

 

I meant this part in terms of what we've done and done well:

 

Even City themselves have stepped back from the pure possession game, replacing Ederson with Gianluigi Donnarumma, effectively turning the clock back 10 years in the process. Their game is now about getting the ball to their physically dominant No 9 as quickly and as often as possible. Everywhere you look, teams are going direct,

We haven’t played direct to a physical no.9 until this season, though - if this is a trend then Howe wasn’t at the front of it. 

[timeEd32]

We didn't play that way for the last two seasons? Obviously Isak is not "physically dominant" but our entire game has been getting the ball to our goal scorer as quickly and as many times as possible. Certain circumstances have forced a change, though we're still quite clearly not after possession for possession's sake. 

 

It's been a debate on this board for two years whether or not we can compete at the top tier without becoming a possession side. Pedants 

[Lucky]

This thread has turned into a shit show and I apologise for my part in it.
 

All I want is Howe to find that consistency that he himself deserves for his efforts.
 

Trying to explain that in 10 different ways has opened up all sorts of cans of worms and bullshit arguments. I do wish we controlled games a bit more but maybe that will come in another transfer window or two.

 

Not expecting us to be challenging for the league, which I’ve said multiple times but the way we’re going it will have to be a conversation at some point but it will never be a reality if we keep going off the boil.

 

I do think he has the capacity to improve so for that reason he’s the right man for the job. In terms of his personality and the way he carries himself I wouldn’t swap him for anyone.

[Ronaldo]

I think what people on here have advocated more than anything else is having a plan B and being able to kill the game in patches and keep the ball away to the 7th-14th sides in particular. Not to mention score more ‘easy’ goals that don’t always necessitate a tonne of intensity to turn it over.
 

I’ve never wanted us to step away from high press because it clearly suits both our budget and Eddie’s strengths as a tactician / man manager better than anything else and always will.

[Mountain]

21 hours ago, Ronaldo said:

Because we haven’t signed a set piece specialist or notable attackers of the ball from dead ball situations - or even attempted to. I really can’t agree that we’ve tried to move in that direction at all.

 

I agree regarding direction being better quality on the ball rather than solely on set pieces.

 

I assume you mean this Summer's signings because Chris Wood scored the most headers from set pieces in Europe's top five leagues during the 2024/25 season and Kieran Tripper was one of the best free kick takers in Europe when we signed him.

 

We still signed a 6'6 striker and a 6'4 CB so we aren't exactly going full Angel Gomes (although he'd be a class signing).

 

I think we've got great balance in the squad so hopefuly once things click, we'll offer more quality and also cause more distress for opponents via set pieces.

[Dr Venkman]

This man has turned us into a very, very good team.

 

Form is temporary, Eddie Howe is permanent.

[nufc123]

Hope we start to fully click now.

[Rod]

Just now, nufc123 said:

Hope we start to fully click now.

Yeah good point. We haven't really "clicked" so far this season. However tonight we were miles better than Spurs which I feel that we now kick on. The mackems are going to get hammered off us. We will be full on by December.

[Ellis H]

P - 14

W - 7

D - 3

L - 4

 

With the defeats being very close games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Brighton, that’s a good start.

[The Prophet]

Five wins in six in all competitions. A very good chance to add to that at the weekend too.

[Elliottman]

He’s finally got a squad 😍 with 3 huge players to come back. Onwards and upwards. 

[STM]

Won 5 out 6 with 4 clean sheets.

 

 

 

[mouldy_uk]

Lovely balance and cohesion about the team tonight 

 

[Heron]

The King. The absolute, fucking king.

 

8 days ago my mates were discussing which game of the next 3 was most important to win. Who cares? Just win them fucking all.

 

PD 3

W3

D0

L0

GF 7

GA 1

GD +6

 

 

Edited October 30, 2025 by Heron

[r0cafella]

Thought he rotated to absolute perfection. 

[Ikon]

Doing very very well. Great times. 

[PauloGeordio]

Subtle nod to Big Joe’ s physical commitment! 

[NG32]

 

Yeeee haaaw!

[Vinny Green Balls]

9 hours ago, PauloGeordio said:

Subtle nod to Big Joe’ s physical commitment! 

sort of a sexual assualt if you scissor someone who doesn't scissor back.

[PauloGeordio]

8 minutes ago, Vinny Green Balls said:

sort of a sexual assualt if you scissor someone who doesn't scissor back.

Big Joe no fussy. He’ll take his man down by any means necessary. If that means he rides him like a bitch so be it. 

[The Fountain]

Howe's now won 15 League Cup ties. We have to go back to Chris Houghton in 2010-11 to count back the next 15 

[Paullow]

Any reason why the press conference hasn't been uploaded to YouTube? Feels like the first one for ages I've not listened to.