Eddie Howe

[NUFCDoog]

I think all the excuses people use to defend Howe, PSR, Champions League games, injuries, not adding to squad etc, are blown out by what Villa are achieving under the exact same circumstances.

 

Not just this season as they're flying, but since Emery has come in they've got better and better, should have finished above us last year, and are now flying this season.

 

No reason we shouldn't be where they are now, no excuses. It's not good enough, and he won't be here this time next season.

[Tsunami]

This is perhaps a bit simplistic but it has to be a good yard stick, you can tell what kind of team, character and leadership you have in a side by contrasting home and away form. It also reflects the influence of the manager.

 

We’ve lost an edge away from home, Howe needs to find a solution. The Everton game was an exception, we scored early and they didn’t recover. We’ve been too easy to get at in every other away game when we’ve led and once we’ve been behind we’ve been far too easy to fend off. 

[Elliottman]

3 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

I think all the excuses people use to defend Howe, PSR, Champions League games, injuries, not adding to squad etc, are blown out by what Villa are achieving under the exact same circumstances.

 

Not just this season as they're flying, but since Emery has come in they've got better and better, should have finished above us last year, and are now flying this season.

 

No reason we shouldn't be where they are now, no excuses. It's not good enough, and he won't be here this time next season.

Maybe sometimes you just have an ‘off’ season? We’re only just halfway through it. Does every single season have to be a massive success? Are we not patient enough to tolerate a season of mediocrity? (If that’s even what it turns out to be - we’re still in every competition!). 

[Heron]

4 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

I think all the excuses people use to defend Howe, PSR, Champions League games, injuries, not adding to squad etc, are blown out by what Villa are achieving under the exact same circumstances.

 

Not just this season as they're flying, but since Emery has come in they've got better and better, should have finished above us last year, and are now flying this season.

 

No reason we shouldn't be where they are now, no excuses. It's not good enough, and he won't be here this time next season.

We sold our star striker last gasp in the most recent transfer window.

[NUFCDoog]

Just now, Heron said:

We sold our star striker last gasp in the most recent transfer window.

Something that was obviously going to happen the whole window, no?

 

Besides, even if we hadn't sold him, he wouldn't have been fit to play for the first couple of months anyway, so could've planned accordingly.

 

Appreciate selling Isak was a big thing, but we can't use that as the reason we're currently sat 13th and excuse all the shit performances.

[Vedder]

Since Emery joined Villa, would you rather have achieved what they have or what we have? 
 

Him and Eddie have similar resources and have been in their jobs for a similar time. The narrative seems to be he’s done better than Eddie but I’m not swapping our achievements. 
 

That’s not to downplay Emery’s achievements, he’s been great, but so have we. 

[Elliottman]

1 minute ago, NUFCDoog said:

Something that was obviously going to happen the whole window, no?

 

Besides, even if we hadn't sold him, he wouldn't have been fit to play for the first couple of months anyway, so could've planned accordingly.

 

Appreciate selling Isak was a big thing, but we can't use that as the reason we're currently sat 13th and excuse all the shit performances.

13th , 6 points from 5th. The table could look a lot different in a few games time. Have patience, trust the guy who rebuilt us. 

[NUFCDoog]

4 minutes ago, Elliottman said:

Maybe sometimes you just have an ‘off’ season? We’re only just halfway through it. Does every single season have to be a massive success? Are we not patient enough to tolerate a season of mediocrity? (If that’s even what it turns out to be - we’re still in every competition!). 

This is the second off season though in 4 years, both coincidently when we're playing in Europe.

 

Obviously under Ashely we'd have only dreamed of the "off seasons" but it adds credence to the theory that the manager can't handle the extra games.

[Vedder]

Just now, NUFCDoog said:

This is the second off season though in 4 years, both coincidently when we're playing in Europe.

 

Obviously under Ashely we'd have only dreamed of the "off seasons" but it adds credence to the theory that the manager can't handle the extra games.

The other season we finished 7th, which is par for the resources we have have. It’s not an off-season by any stretch of the imagination. 

[Yorkie]

Villa's incredible season doesn't mean every mitigating factor which applies to us isn't true. 

 

Equally, all of those mitigating factors aren't the sole reason for why we're as low as 13th.

 

Villa and Emery are third therefore Newcastle and Howe should be third is a bit of a stupid take really.

[Heron]

It's like folk are actively looking for reasons to get rid.

 

Please can those who want him sacked remind me of the sure fire replacement that will not only be attainable but whom will also transform us into a regular top 4 side that wins trophies?

 

Last year Villa started the league a similar way to us. They were 5 points ahead of our current situation but in 9th place - it's not all that different...

 

They didn't rush their manager out either...

[NUFCDoog]

1 minute ago, Yorkie said:

Villa's incredible season doesn't mean every mitigating factor which applies to us isn't true. 

 

Equally, all of those mitigating factors aren't the sole reason for why we're as low as 13th.

 

Villa and Emery are third therefore Newcastle and Howe should be third is a bit of a stupid take really.

I get that and im not necessarily saying it like that.

 

However, I think its a pretty good comparison to use as both clubs were in a similar position before getting their new managers, and both have followed a similar trajectory.

 

It's not like for like, but as a comparison I think its fair that we look at Villa. They'll slip off obviously, and they won't win the league, but it feels that year on year they're doing "better" than us in the long term.

[Vinny Green Balls]

4 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

This is the second off season though in 4 years, both coincidently when we're playing in Europe.

 

Obviously under Ashely we'd have only dreamed of the "off seasons" but it adds credence to the theory that the manager can't handle the extra games.

the off season where we finished 60 points, and should have gotten Europe despite having one of hte most ridiculous injury records one could imagine?

 

This is what I dislike about these arguments. It's just cherry picking.

[toontownman]

10 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

I think all the excuses people use to defend Howe, PSR, Champions League games, injuries, not adding to squad etc, are blown out by what Villa are achieving under the exact same circumstances.

 

Not just this season as they're flying, but since Emery has come in they've got better and better, should have finished above us last year, and are now flying this season.

 

No reason we shouldn't be where they are now, no excuses. It's not good enough, and he won't be here this time next season.

A couple of months ago there were lots saying the wheels have come off for Emery and laughing at their plight. Shows how quickly things can turn. Could well happen with us and Howe too in a couple of months.

 

Its all streaks. Hot and cold. Nothing new in football. Howe will turn it around or he will be replaced next summer imo.

[Vinny Green Balls]

If Howe manages to get us above 60 points again, is it an off season?

[Heron]

6 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

Something that was obviously going to happen the whole window, no?

 

Besides, even if we hadn't sold him, he wouldn't have been fit to play for the first couple of months anyway, so could've planned accordingly.

 

Appreciate selling Isak was a big thing, but we can't use that as the reason we're currently sat 13th and excuse all the shit performances.

You absolutely can factor in to the fact we didn't have a striker for around the first 33% of our games thus far and the fact that we had to change our style of play or have the new signings change theirs.

 

It's not the same as one player gaining match fitness like Isak at Liverpool.

 

We told everyone he wasn't going anywhere until almost the very end of the window. We actively tried to bring in replacements but didn't manage it financially. That's not Howes fault. Not to any of our knowledge. I know some of you chaps like to level that blame at him but I'm not sure that's the reality like.

[500bhp]

14 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

I think all the excuses people use to defend Howe, PSR, Champions League games, injuries, not adding to squad etc, are blown out by what Villa are achieving under the exact same circumstances.

 

Not just this season as they're flying, but since Emery has come in they've got better and better, should have finished above us last year, and are now flying this season.

 

No reason we shouldn't be where they are now, no excuses. It's not good enough, and he won't be here this time next season.

I see two main differences between us and Villa. Firstly, their manager has years of experience of juggling league campaigns with European football. And often winning the competition.

 

Secondly, their ethos seems to be to take more risks in the transfer market. Short term loan signings, high turnover of first team players, wheeling and dealing DOF, etc.

[Vinny Green Balls]

Just now, Heron said:

You absolutely can factor in to the fact we didn't have a striker for around the first 33% of our games thus far and the fact that we had to change our style of play or have the new signings change theirs.

 

It's not the same as one player gaining match fitness like Isak at Liverpool.

 

We told everyone he wasn't going anywhere until almost the very end of the window. We actively tried to bring in replacements but didn't manage it financially. That's not Howes fault. Not to any of our knowledge. I know some of you chaps like to level that blame at him but I'm not sure that's the reality like.

not to mention that Isak would have probably gotten to match fitness  early if he didn't pull the shit he did to move away.

[NUFCDoog]

Just now, Vinny Green Balls said:

If Howe manages to get us above 60 points again, is it an off season?

Yeah? I don't think we should be counting 60 points as a yardstick for a resounding success. It's small time, we should be aiming for more.

 

So far, and i accept its only December, this season has been very poor. We spent over 100 million in the summer and look worse for it. I dont see signs that we'll turn it around either.

[Heron]

3 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

I get that and im not necessarily saying it like that.

 

However, I think its a pretty good comparison to use as both clubs were in a similar position before getting their new managers, and both have followed a similar trajectory.

 

It's not like for like, but as a comparison I think its fair that we look at Villa. They'll slip off obviously, and they won't win the league, but it feels that year on year they're doing "better" than us in the long term.

They finished below us and with less cups than us last season...

[Yorkie]

1 minute ago, NUFCDoog said:

I get that and im not necessarily saying it like that.

 

However, I think its a pretty good comparison to use as both clubs were in a similar position before getting their new managers, and both have followed a similar trajectory.

 

It's not like for like, but as a comparison I think its fair that we look at Villa. They'll slip off obviously, and they won't win the league, but it feels that year on year they're doing "better" than us in the long term.

 

They're having a brilliant season and fair play to them. The neutral in me is pleased to see them doing well despite the financial restrictions put upon them (or rather, the lack of financial restrictions put upon their competitors). But it's no stick to beat Howe with because despite us sharing that place in the hierarchy, each club's situations are different. 

[Vinny Green Balls]

2 minutes ago, NUFCDoog said:

Yeah? I don't think we should be counting 60 points as a yardstick for a resounding success. It's small time, we should be aiming for more.

 

So far, and i accept its only December, this season has been very poor. We spent over 100 million in the summer and look worse for it. I dont see signs that we'll turn it around either.

as people didn't last year, and the year before. And there was even discussion about us not having what it took to win regularly in 22-23. The problem with so many of you is that you have Memento memories.

 

This is the entitlement I feared because of a little success under him.

 

And obviously, it's not guaranteed that he'll go on a major winning streak. But his precedent of it should at least give him time this season to turn it around.

 

 

Edited December 27, 2025 by Vinny Green Balls

[NUFCDoog]

Just now, Vinny Green Balls said:

as people didn't last year, and the year before. And there was even discussion about us not having what it took to win regularly in 22-23. The problem with so many of you is that you have Memento memories.

 

This is the entitlement I feared because of a little success under him.

I think this where some confuse entitlement with ambition to be honest.

 

I dont think its unfair to think, after what we've achieved so far, that we should build on it and improve year on year. 

 

Not to diminish what we achieved but just because he won a cup doesn't mean we should suddenly accept mediocrity because before he came we were nowhere near. Good managers and good teams build on success, thus far I dont think we are .

[Mattoon]

These things aren't mutually exclusive, we do have mitigating factors, not least of which was the Isak fiasco and the freak injury to Wissa, it cannot be overstated the lack of upper management in what was to be an extremely important transfer window in both incomings and outgoings, the whole club spent the summer in turmoil.

 

Having said that, the form away from home is unacceptable and the patchy performances need to be addressed by Howe, it's his job to find a way to turn it around, mitigating factors or not. The pressure is on Howe and rightly so, but it's way too early to be contemplating pulling the trigger.

 

It's not a failure that we are still competing on 4 fronts, that's a huge achievement given the circumstances but I do also think that it's part of the problem as we've spread ourselves too thin, something has to give and currently it is our league form, that will change over time as we won't win or probably even go a long way in every competition we're in.

[Vinny Green Balls]

We aren't accepting mediocrity. We are halfway through a season just after our most successful one in recent decades.

 

It's totally self-destructive to get rid of him now.

 

 

Edited December 27, 2025 by Vinny Green Balls