Eddie Howe

[gbandit]

I don’t think I’d ever stop backing Howe to get it right. He’s perfect for us and an absolutely class act. He’ll show after the international break that he’s learnt from this, just got to evolve the team into one which takes care of the ball. That’s the easiest criticism to level against him and one which he needs to focus on sorting out. If we’re not a balls-to-the-wall pressing team anymore then it’s not about physically running over opponents anymore, it’s about outplaying them with the ball and then using our physical attributes to apply the finishing touches. At the moment we’re one-paced and not really able to make use of the traits that Howe wants the team to play to 

[The College Dropout]

Just now, Vinny Green Balls said:

he's not 6'2". He's barely 6'

Fair.  Still looks tall for a fullback. Great athlete. Great aerial stats anyway. 

[The College Dropout]

2 minutes ago, gbandit said:

I don’t think I’d ever stop backing Howe to get it right. He’s perfect for us and an absolutely class act. He’ll show after the international break that he’s learnt from this, just got to evolve the team into one which takes care of the ball. That’s the easiest criticism to level against him and one which he needs to focus on sorting out. If we’re not a balls-to-the-wall pressing team anymore then it’s not about physically running over opponents anymore, it’s about outplaying them with the ball and then using our physical attributes to apply the finishing touches. At the moment we’re one-paced and not really able to make use of the traits that Howe wants the team to play to 

I think we can still prioritise athletic attributes while still being good enough technically. And knowing when to mix it up. 

 

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by The College Dropout

[Vinny Green Balls]

I do think that this is his most difficult challenge. If he overcomes this, and gets us playing well on all fronts, and we go on another couple of Howe runs, then it will be up there with his other achievements.

[Nucasol]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

I think we can still prioritise athletic attributes while still being good enough technically. 

One look at Man City suggests those players definitely exist.

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

I think we can still prioritise athletic attributes while still being good enough technically. 

I think some of the players are better techinically than what they've shown so far. Not to say that we're not short on technical players.

[gbandit]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

I think we can still prioritise athletic attributes while still being good enough technically. 

Indeed, but it means dropping Pope for Ramsdale, playing Hall and Tino at full back and dropping Jow for Ramsey. It also means dipping into the winger market, which I can’t see happening 

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, gbandit said:

Indeed, but it means dropping Pope for Ramsdale, playing Hall and Tino at full back and dropping Jow for Ramsey. It also means dipping into the winger market, which I can’t see happening 

I doubt that he'll give up on his wingers because of this spell.

[TRon]

25 minutes ago, nufc123 said:

Thats all good having him on because of height, but there was a lot more trouble going on than height being the main issue.

 

Height's not going to help much when they are just knocking the ball past and running round you. 

[Keegans Export]

11 minutes ago, Newcastle Fan said:

As good as he is, it shows whenever we reach Europe that he doesn't have enough experience dealing with a lot of matches in a row.

Something I've wondered about Iraola, Glasner etc - they haven't proven it either, at least not at Champions League level.

 

Doesn't excuse some of the garbage we've put out this season of course, but there's a very short list of managers you could employ that you know could sustain both a domestic campaign and a Champions League one. 

[Ben]

2 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Indeed, but it means dropping Pope for Ramsdale, playing Hall and Tino at full back and dropping Jow for Ramsey. It also means dipping into the winger market, which I can’t see happening 

 

I'd have Miley instead of Ramsey 

[The College Dropout]

3 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Indeed, but it means dropping Pope for Ramsdale, playing Hall and Tino at full back and dropping Jow for Ramsey. It also means dipping into the winger market, which I can’t see happening 

I don’t think we need to do all of that. The fullbacks should return. But I’d play Burn over Botman.  Ramsey looks a nothing player, get Wissa at 9 and Wokte supporting. GK yeh maybe.  

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, The College Dropout said:

I don’t think we need to do all of that. The fullbacks should return. But I’d play Burn over Botman.  Ramsey looks a nothing player, get Wissa at 9 and Wokte supporting. GK yeh maybe.  

I don't think Ramsey looks a nothing player. I think we'll see what he's capable of when he gets a proper run. But I agree with the rest. I'd frankly bench Joelinton for a bit. Miley deserves a run in the team.

 

I'd definitley play Burn over Botman for a bit.

[Sibierski]

2 hours ago, Cf said:

 

 

Woltemade desperately needs Wissa up there with him. 

 

 

Do people genuinely think Howe is going to break up his trusted midfield three to play two strikers? When we could’ve done that already this past month.

 

Said it last month, people are going to get a reality check is this past month hasn’t done it, when Wissa is back and nothing fundamentally changes.

 

We have the personnel already where we could change it, and Howe has not done it. That’s very much on him and if he’s going to be stubborn, it will do serious damage.

[janpawel]

7 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Fair.  Still looks tall for a fullback. Great athlete. Great aerial stats anyway. 

 

Speaking of Howe's desire for height, I struggle to see him ever fielding a team with Hall LB, Tino RB, and Ramsey LCM (no Joelinton) 

 

I think we'd all agree that's our most talented way to line up, but I wonder if we will ever see it, at least frequently with everyone fit

[Guest]

I love Howe and think he is the most intelligent and articulate manager I have ever seen. Not just for us, but from listening to any managers. I want him to succeed more than anything in the world.

 

But I liked the comment from someone else, reminding us this is about the club, not ANY individuals no matter how much we love them and pray they will stay here forever.

 

I really thought if anything this summer had taught us all that.

 

It’s clear 90% of everyone in this thread can see what is wrong. The question is can Howe, or more importantly can he resolve it?

 

I think a lot lies with the aspect of loyalty. To players as many has said, but maybe also to a lot of the staff around him. Are they really all good enough for the level we want to be at, and if not is Howe too nice to do what’s needed. All the greatest managers, Alex Ferguson of course the standout, all have some level of ruthlessness. I fear Howe doesn’t have that in him at all.

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, janpawel said:

 

Speaking of Howe's desire for height, I struggle to see him ever fielding a team with Hall LB, Tino RB, and Ramsey LCM (no Joelinton) 

 

I think we'd all agree that's our most talented way to line up, but I wonder if we will ever see it, at least frequently with everyone fit

Not seen anything from Ramsey to suggest he should start. 
 

But I agree. Get Wissa in and keep Wolte and we are still a big side. 

[Theregulars]

1 minute ago, Sibierski said:

Do people genuinely think Howe is going to break up his trusted midfield three to play two strikers? When we could’ve done that already this past month.

 

Said it last month, people are going to get a reality check is this past month hasn’t done it, when Wissa is back and nothing fundamentally changes.

 

We have the personnel already where we could change it, and Howe has not done it. That’s very much on him and if he’s going to be stubborn, it will do serious damage.

Which other striker would you have played, given that both wissa and osula are injured?

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, Marxen the Mag said:

I love Howe and think he is the most intelligent and articulate manager I have ever seen. Not just for us, but from listening to any managers. I want him to succeed more than anything in the world.

 

But I liked the comment from someone else, reminding us this is about the club, not ANY individuals no matter how much we love them and pray they will stay here forever.

 

I really thought if anything this summer had taught us all that.

 

It’s clear 90% of everyone in this thread can see what is wrong. The question is can Howe, or more importantly can he resolve it?

 

I think a lot lies with the aspect of loyalty. To players as many has said, but maybe also to a lot of the staff around him. Are they really all good enough for the level we want to be at, and if not is Howe too nice to do what’s needed. All the greatest managers, Alex Ferguson of course the standout, all have some level of ruthlessness. I fear Howe doesn’t have that in him at all.

This is just most likely untrue. He exiled Fraser for being a cunt. A few here have suggested that there's evidence that he's not such a nice guy on the training ground. I highly doubt that he isn't ruthless when he needs to be.

[Displayname]

Hopefully the international managers watches our games and leaves the likes of Tonali, Bruno and Woltemade deservedly on the bench.

[Sibierski]

Just now, Theregulars said:

Which other striker would you have played, given that both wissa and osula are injured?

Said it in tactics thread, Elanga as the striker and a 4-4-1-1. 
 

Instead he’s getting scrap minutes, and we’re playing bad with 4-3-3 with same midfield and Wolte increasingly getting isolated in games.
 

Wissa will be playing LW or Wolte will be on bench more. They’re not playing together anytime soon. 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Vinny Green Balls said:

This is just most likely untrue. He exiled Fraser for being a cunt. A few here have suggested that there's evidence that he's not such a nice guy on the training ground. I highly doubt that he isn't ruthless when he needs to be.

Regarding Fraser he gave him a lot of chances though. Too many most would argue. Most would also argue he should never have forgiven him for what he did at Bournemouth. So I would actually use him as an example of not being ruthless.

 

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by Marxen the Mag

[Guest]

Lets not pretend this downfall has only began this season. We have been abysmal since March, we lucked into the champions league on the final day. Had the Villa goal have stood we would be looking at a very different view of things right now.

 

FWIW i think the squad is actually marginally better but we are seeing the same issues as the last time we had CL. No ability to rotate, exhausted players, some playing injured and loyalty to a player in a position that was shown to be fatally flawed for over 2 years.

[Pilko]

Just now, Tonalis Bookie said:

Lets not pretend this downfall has only began this season. We have been abysmal since March, we lucked into the champions league on the final day. Had the Villa goal have stood we would be looking at a very different view of things right now.

 

FWIW i think the squad is actually marginally better but we are seeing the same issues as the last time we had CL. No ability to rotate, exhausted players, some playing injured and loyalty to a player in a position that was shown to be fatally flawed for over 2 years.

 

That's only partially true. He could have rotated the goalkeeper, the midfielders and the wingers and yet he's picking the same ones and leaving the same ones on the bench every week.

 

The last time we literally had 11 fit outfield players. It was Krafth on the bench with sub keepers and a creche. He's got way more options but doesn't fancy any of them, including two of the biggest spends this summer.

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, Marxen the Mag said:

Regarding Fraser he gave him a lot of chances though. Too may most would argue. Most would also argue he should never have forgiven him for what he did at Bournemouth. So I would actually use him as an example of not being ruthless.

Absolutely disagree. that was seasons between. Of course you should give someone a second chance and a clean slate at a new club, especially when relegation is looming over it. Fraser had that second chance and acted like a shit, and so was exiled for his efforts.

 

I have heard others say what you are saying, and I think it's a case of inaccurate cliche. People behind the scenes have said that he can be a bit brutal in training. This nice guy thing is because he is even keeled and politican like in press conferences.