Eddie Howe

[Lush Vlad]

6 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Wilson is a nobody. He will be doing what he's told to do after all, for some bizarre reason Eddie had a hand in his appointment. 

 

 

So do what then? Don’t let Howe have any more money to spend as he wastes it? See how it goes the rest of the season. Then he gets money in the summer. When the signings will still be his and Wilson will still have no control according to you. He’s a nobody after all. 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2025 by Lush Vlad

[r0cafella]

Just now, Lush Vlad said:

So you what then? Don’t let Howe have any more money to spend as he wastes it? See how it goes the rest of the season. Then he gets money in the summer. When the signings will still be his and Wilson will still have no control according to you. He’s a nobody after all. 

The damage has been done, the bed has been made. I think if you own the club you take a step back and ask yourself a couple of questions. 

 

Is Eddie the manager to take the next step. 

Does he have enough to achieve his objectives. 

 

And depending on how you feel about those two questions dictates what you do next. 

 

To be frank, the one thing we cannot do is throw good money after bad. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I would say you ask the other way round TBH. What are our ambitions, are they realistic with the budget and draw to players we have. Then you decide if Howe has enough about him to get back on track next season given a full summer. 

[Lush Vlad]

5 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

The damage has been done, the bed has been made. I think if you own the club you take a step back and ask yourself a couple of questions. 

 

Is Eddie the manager to take the next step. 

Does he have enough to achieve his objectives. 

 

And depending on how you feel about those two questions dictates what you do next. 

 

To be frank, the one thing we cannot do is throw good money after bad. 

And what do you think? Not what the club may or may not think or do. If you’re so sure Wilson is a stooge. Then you’d never give Howe money again?!
 

Surely if you’re saying don’t give him money in January. As he has too much control. Then the same applies for every window, to some degree?
 

Or are you more suggesting he’ll be gone in the summer. So another manager gets the transfer budget?

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I would say you ask the other way round TBH. What are our ambitions, are they realistic with the budget and draw to players we have. Then you decide if Howe has enough about him to get back on track next season given a full summer. 

We know what our long term ambition is. I'm sure for this season then expectations is European football of somekind which is in like with our squad cost. 

 

I think about it in these terms and pardon the analogy. 

 

Par is we finish were put squad cost puts us. 

Under par is anything better, so over achieving. 

Overpar is underachieverment. 

 

You can consider these KPIs. Obviously you would use more metrics to asses performance as well but this is where we can measure at the highest level. 

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I would say you ask the other way round TBH. What are our ambitions, are they realistic with the budget and draw to players we have. Then you decide if Howe has enough about him to get back on track next season given a full summer. 

He had a full summer, he’s been employed since 2021 by the club.  We went for Elanga last season - he’s been a long term target.  Howe has spent an absolute fortune at this point - this is his squad.  And at present, it looks very much like a bottom half side.  Forget about the daft occasional shite put out by the club about being ‘no 1’ - we’re not performing to the level these players are capable of nor has the £250m spent in the summer been spent wisely. 

[Wallsendmag]

1 minute ago, r0cafella said:

The damage has been done, the bed has been made. I think if you own the club you take a step back and ask yourself a couple of questions. 

 

Is Eddie the manager to take the next step. 

Does he have enough to achieve his objectives. 

 

And depending on how you feel about those two questions dictates what you do next. 

 

To be frank, the one thing we cannot do is throw good money after bad. 

 

Agree with this. We made our bed in the summer. Spent £250m and the only real improvement we got from all that was Thiaw at the back. Seems foolish to throw yet more money at the squad 5 months down the line trying to put it right.

 

The owners should be saying, we've backed you to the hilt in the summer with the clubs biggest ever transfer window splurge yet the team is far worse. You need to work with what you've asked for and get a tune out of Ramsey, Ramsdale, Elanga and Wissa and then see how you can get more out of Woltemade as he's become a passenger in recent weeks.

 

If he can then great, if he can't then they have to ask themselves if he's the man to take the club forward, if he can be trusted to spend a big pot of money wisely, or if they wouldn't be better advised speaking to Bournemouth or Crystal Palace about compensation to get either of their managers here.

[hallihg]

37 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

Another major concern is we still look absolutely hopeless in possession as well. I know we thought we'd improve with Tino and Hall back but it was rancid again. It's as if we don't do any in possession work at all. It was a bit of a red flag when Long staff mentioned it when he joined Leeds, but it's alarm bells now and it shows. We must spend our time working on the high press we barely use, as a lot of our chance creation came from high turnovers so it's not at all surprising we are struggling to create anything. 

What did Longstaff say and where 

[Ben]

8 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I would say you ask the other way round TBH. What are our ambitions, are they realistic with the budget and draw to players we have. Then you decide if Howe has enough about him to get back on track next season given a full summer. 

 

 

[r0cafella]

Just now, Lush Vlad said:

And what do you think? Not what the club may or may not think or do. If you’re so sure Wilson is a stooge. Then you’d never give Howe money again?!
 

Surely if you’re saying don’t give him money in January. As he has too much control. Then the same applies for every window, to some degree?
 

Or are you more suggesting he’ll be gone in the summer. So another manager gets the transfer budget?

What do I think? Id never give a coach the control Eddie has, not even if he's the second coming it's far too high risk for my taste. 

 

Id also never appoint Ross Wilson and the manager would never have a hand in who his boss is. 

 

Something I've been consistent and clear about this whole time and often been met with derision and criticism which so perfectly fair we all have our own views. 

 

I don't know what will happen, I can't predict the future personally I hope he turns it around as I've got a massive amount of respect for what he's achieved. I've been one of the few to nail my colours to the mast on this. The sporting director situation is a monumental fuck up imo. We've ended up with someone who has no track record or achieving what we want to achieve and who's subordinate has had a hand in hiring. Now people think that leads to good dynamics but it doesn't in my book. 

 

Ultimately we've played our hand and it's all in Eddie Howe so like many people in saying my prayers daily that this works out because we've put ourselves into a position where alternative options aren't very appealing. Very on brand for how PIF do things TBF. 

[DevonGeordie]

Honestly lads, I just think it’s time to change. The team has been on the slide since the cup final, we barely got over the line last season; and the cup performances have been papering over the cracks. The league is your bread and butter and should be prioritised, realistically knockout stages of the champions league is as far as we’ll get. Same with domestic cups, we shouldn’t be sacrificing performances in the league for trying to progress in cup competitions that currently we stand zero chances of qualifying for next season.
 

There’s tonnes of other issues as well regarding how predictable we are tactically, issues with our formation, the recurring issues of players not being dropped who fail to perform, switching off during games, the set piece coach who’s stealing a living, players brought in at Eddie’s insistence who have taken us backwards.

 

I genuinely do hope that this is the kick up the arse the manager and the team need to start performing, and hope I’m proved wrong but I’m just not seeing it.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

 

5 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

He had a full summer, he’s been employed since 2021 by the club.  We went for Elanga last season - he’s been a long term target.  Howe has spent an absolute fortune at this point - this is his squad.  And at present, it looks very much like a bottom half side.  Forget about the daft occasional shite put out by the club about being ‘no 1’ - we’re not performing to the level these players are capable of nor has the £250m spent in the summer been spent wisely. 

Right, I mean I don’t buy that characterisation. We’ve only made 1 bad signing, could be 2 if Ramsey contributes nothing but with his ability I don’t think that will happen. 
 

Just as much risk giving loads of money to a new manager. It’s the structure of the recruitment department that should protect against wasting money. Not that it will ever be perfect. 
 

I wouldn’t say we had a full summer this year because of the Isak saga. 

 

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

What do I think? Id never give a coach the control Eddie has, not even if he's the second coming it's far too high risk for my taste. 

 

Id also never appoint Ross Wilson and the manager would never have a hand in who his boss is. 

 

Something I've been consistent and clear about this whole time and often been met with derision and criticism which so perfectly fair we all have our own views. 

 

I don't know what will happen, I can't predict the future personally I hope he turns it around as I've got a massive amount of respect for what he's achieved. I've been one of the few to nail my colours to the mast on this. The sporting director situation is a monumental fuck up imo. We've ended up with someone who has no track record or achieving what we want to achieve and who's subordinate has had a hand in hiring. Now people think that leads to good dynamics but it doesn't in my book. 

 

Ultimately we've played our hand and it's all in Eddie Howe so like many people in saying my prayers daily that this works out because we've put ourselves into a position where alternative options aren't very appealing. Very on brand for how PIF do things TBF. 

100%.  The DoF role has been a disaster and emblematic of a club with no-one with a hand on the tiller.  The DoF has to set out the way the club plays, structuring the side at all levels in terms of playing philosophy, and signing players who play in that system (or systems).  Howe has been massively overindulged and it means that if he goes we’re left with a squad who the next head coach will likely break apart.  It’s fucking pisspoor management at all levels and I’m sick of it. 

[TheBrownBottle]

1 minute ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

 

Right, I mean I don’t buy that characterisation. We’ve only made 1 bad signing, could be 2 if Ramsey contributes nothing but with his ability I don’t think that will happen. 
 

Just as much risk giving loads of money to a new manager. It’s the structure of the recruitment department that should protect against wasting money. Not that it will ever be perfect. 
 

I wouldn’t say we had a full summer this year because of the Isak saga. 

 

I’m pretty sure Howe was aware that Isak was unhappy.  Of course we had a full summer - Howe wasn’t a passenger.   He had agency.  
 

We signed Elanga in May.  At present, there is an argument that all but Thiaw are poor signings - even Woltemade, who is a good player, clearly doesn’t fit Howe’s system.  

[Nucasol]

5 minutes ago, Ben said:

 

 

Absolute nonsensical quote at a time they are still dithering around with infrastructure decisions, Procrastination FC as the Saudis realise many of their magic bean projects are exactly that. I think Yasir will have heat on him for the dramatic waste that is the LIV Golf tour and he could become a casualty of this.

 

We aren’t getting to that level without a dramatically different stadium to unlock commercial revenue streams so why say it?

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, Nucasol said:

Absolute nonsensical quote at a time they are still dithering around with infrastructure decisions, Procrastination FC as the Saudis realise many of their magic bean projects are exactly that. I think Yasir will have heat on him for the dramatic waste that is the LIV Golf tour and he could become a casualty of this.

 

We aren’t getting to that level without a dramatically different stadium to unlock commercial revenue streams so why say it?

They say it because they are very much aware of the chatter about them being still interested especially when this amplifies when they drop Liverpool yet another bag for a washed 33 year old. 

 

It's meant to be reassuring, but it's your handshake isn't matching your smile shit. 

[TheBrownBottle]

1 minute ago, Nucasol said:

Absolute nonsensical quote at a time they are still dithering around with infrastructure decisions, Procrastination FC as the Saudis realise many of their magic bean projects are exactly that. I think Yasir will have heat on him for the dramatic waste that is the LIV Golf tour and he could become a casualty of this.

 

We aren’t getting to that level without a dramatically different stadium to unlock commercial revenue streams so why say it?

- Put some money in

- brag about how big it’ll be

- watch as people speculate how much you’ll put in

- put it in hiatus and hope it disappears quietly

 

That’s the standard route for KSA ‘investments’.  

[AyeDubbleYoo]

3 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I’m pretty sure Howe was aware that Isak was unhappy.  Of course we had a full summer - Howe wasn’t a passenger.   He had agency.  
 

We signed Elanga in May.  At present, there is an argument that all but Thiaw are poor signings - even Woltemade, who is a good player, clearly doesn’t fit Howe’s system.  

Yeah but I don’t think the right option was to just sell Isak as easily and early as possible. In hindsight maybe, but I don’t think people would endorse that general approach to letting our best players be poached whenever someone fancies it. 
 

Guess just have to differ on the signings for now, we’ll see how they play out. 
 

FWIW I’ve always said no manager should be all-powerful on transfers and I think we all agree the club needs a fully professional recruitment department and technical director. 

[TheBrownBottle]

Just now, AyeDubbleYoo said:

Yeah but I don’t think the right option was to just sell Isak as easily and early as possible. In hindsight maybe, but I don’t think people would endorse that general approach to letting our best players be poached whenever someone fancies it. 
 

Guess just have to differ on the signings for now, we’ll see how they play out. 
 

FWIW I’ve always said no manager should be all-powerful on transfers and I think we all agree the club needs a fully professional recruitment department and technical director. 

Yeah, agreed on most of what you’ve written - I only disagree re Isak.  I always felt we should have just sold.  Ironically I think Howe was of that thinking by the time of the Celtic friendly - it seems to have been the owners who farted about on it. 

[AngelofTheFourth]

My big problem is that to be a top team we need to be getting ucl consistently and right now we aren't even getting europe consistently. We almost missed out last season. The fact we spent so much on depth and we are where we are is concerning. We managed to turn it around last season but this season its going to be harder.

[Nucasol]

Just now, AngelofTheFourth said:

My big problem is that to be a top team we need to be getting ucl consistently and right now we aren't even getting europe consistently. We almost missed out last season. The fact we spent so much on depth and we are where we are is concerning. We managed to turn it around last season but this season its going to be harder.

That and better infrastructure to unlock the commercial side to make us less “all or nothing” dependent on UCL and qualification. 

[Danh1]

1 hour ago, r0cafella said:

Question for everyone. 

 

We obviously know the recruitment structure is Eddie has final say, in reality this means we sign who Eddie wants. 

 

With that preamble out of the way, say we have 85m to spend in January are you giving it to him?

No. I don’t want Phillip Billing, Ryan Yates and James Trafford coming in.

[nufc4eva]

23 minutes ago, DevonGeordie said:

Honestly lads, I just think it’s time to change. The team has been on the slide since the cup final, we barely got over the line last season; and the cup performances have been papering over the cracks. The league is your bread and butter and should be prioritised, realistically knockout stages of the champions league is as far as we’ll get. Same with domestic cups, we shouldn’t be sacrificing performances in the league for trying to progress in cup competitions that currently we stand zero chances of qualifying for next season.
 

There’s tonnes of other issues as well regarding how predictable we are tactically, issues with our formation, the recurring issues of players not being dropped who fail to perform, switching off during games, the set piece coach who’s stealing a living, players brought in at Eddie’s insistence who have taken us backwards.

 

I genuinely do hope that this is the kick up the arse the manager and the team need to start performing, and hope I’m proved wrong but I’m just not seeing it.

I think if it doesn't improve in next 3 or 4 games he has to go. Right now we look like a lower mid table team after spending a lot of money with no clear style, unable to attack teams, no intent to do anything and that lies with him as well as the players. He has the players he wanted and apart from Thiaw haven't been great or don't suit our style.

[gbandit]

1 hour ago, r0cafella said:

Question for everyone. 

 

We obviously know the recruitment structure is Eddie has final say, in reality this means we sign who Eddie wants. 

 

With that preamble out of the way, say we have 85m to spend in January are you giving it to him?

This is the crux of Eddie’s tenure now. Can he take a proper backseat in recruitment while still directing the general player profile to the recruitment team. We need to sign footballers. That has to be the absolute top priority in our signings, people like Lewis Hall. Howe has to trust the recruitment team, Elanga on a ‘pro rats’ basis is currently our worst ever signing. I know he won’t end up being that by the end of his time here but he’ll have to go something to not be in our top ten worst ever signings at this point

[et tu brute]

2 hours ago, astraguy said:

35 wackos ffs

is that the only thing you can come out with ffs