Eddie Howe

[Yorkie]

5 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

We used to go for players 1-2 years before other big clubs would go in for them.  Last summer we decided to shop in the same stores as the big boys.  
 

The moment to go for Mbeumo and even Wissa was 12 months earlier. That was the summer to gamble on Semenyo. Instead we went for the safer Elanga. 

 

Because the next step for us was the title race, so we chased 'title race players,' along with the other 'title race teams.'

Unfortunately the ESL clubs were allowed to hoard that calibre of player (extending to ones we already owned).

 

You can debate the choice to have that policy but the logic is uncomplicated imo.

[Kid Icarus]

31 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

It was ill give you that. As time has passed I do understand it though. 

 

Obviously they saw Hopinkson as exactly what they want and it took time to get him, on the surface that's actually logical as he's been head or commercial at real Madrid and worked at huge sporting franchises his whole career. 

 

To me, and you may disagree but the Mitchell situation is obvious he simply lost the power battle and went. 

 

Unless we targeted different players it didn't actually make much difference imo. When I look at the players we missed out on, all of them went to more prestigious clubs and having a sporting director talk to them would have made precisely zero difference. The rest is entirely up to interpretation and how much we believe Eddie is involved in things. 

 

Neither of us will ever know for certain, but tbh I think the evidence suggests it could have - especially when you look at the way in which Ashworth worked to get Tonali or even Isak - Barella smokescreen out of nowhere, then got Tonali done within a day or so before any club could react, the Isak deal all done super quickly - vs us in the summer, endless leaks, taking ages on deals, countless times other clubs got wind of what we were doing and then stepping in. 

 

 

Edited April 15 by Kid Icarus

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, Kid Icarus said:

 

Neither of us will ever know for certain, but tbh I think the evidence suggests it could have - especially when you look at the way in which Ashworth worked to get Tonali - Barella smokescreen out of nowhere, then got Tonali done within a day or so before any club could react - vs us in the summer, endless leaks, countless times other clubs got wind of what we were doing and then stepping in. 

Fair but that's on example in a ffp period over COVID. It may seem irrelevant but club finances around the league were more constrained, Tonali being an Italian midfielder who traditional haven't done well in England was also a gamble (no pun intended). 

 

Those targets though, we're pretty much telegraphed and it was obvious they were going elsewhere imo. 

[bobbydazzla]

People who couldn't possibly know for definite what happened behind the scenes at NUFC last summer telling people that they're definitely wrong about what possibly happened behind the scenes at NUFC last summer because they believe they definitely know what happened behind the scenes at NUFC last summer and the other person definitely doesn't know what happened behind the scenes at NUFC last summer.

 

It's peak N-O.

 

Like two deranged bald gadgies fighting over a tub of make believe hair gel.

 

Never change lads, never change.

 

 

 

Edited April 15 by bobbydazzla

[Menace]

It's just a football forum Bobby, most people on here post during office hours to pass time. No one takes anything to heart

[The College Dropout]

9 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

 

Because the next step for us was the title race, so we chased 'title race players,' along with the other 'title race teams.'

Unfortunately the ESL clubs were allowed to hoard that calibre of player (extending to ones we already owned).

 

You can debate the choice to have that policy but the logic is uncomplicated imo.

Our best players were signed with that policy though.  Going from Tonali to Jacob Ramsey doesn’t scream ‘title race team’ ready.  The opposite in fact.  

[Yorkie]

2 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Our best players were signed with that policy though.  Going from Tonali to Jacob Ramsey doesn’t scream ‘title race team’ ready.  The opposite in fact.  

 

Ramsey was a squad signing and an upgrade on Longstaff. I assumed we were on about the failed chases for the likes of Mbeumo and Pedro et al.

[The College Dropout]

21 minutes ago, nufcjmc said:

I actually dont mind a mix of both approaches the issue is when all the chips are on a single strategy (many were frustrated how long we waited on Halls introduction likely in part due to his age and experience). 

 

We now find ourselves with a summer of "ready made" not very very young in terms of footballing terms signings for massive fees we likely cant peddle due to said fee (all bar Wissa young enough to get better but I dont believe thats what we paid the premiums in them for). 

 

I’d rather stick with that old approach and supplement with cheap experience like Dan Burn and Trippier.  
 

If we sign players for £40m+ we need to be convinced they can increase in value.  As you say Elanga was peak price. 

24 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I generally agree with this, all I’d say on it is that we likely believed we were going to be very attractive to players and were entering another phase of our development. 
 

And I guess we didn’t have anyone in place to say if that might be been a bit naive given wages other clubs can pay. And/or the people needed to identify those other targets reliably?  
 

I also think we were unlucky that literally every major target fancied a different move. We might have been allowed to land a couple. 

Then yes we were naive. 
 

And i believe all of our signings bar the strikers were high up the list.  
 

Lost out on Mbeumo, straight to Elanga.  Never looked  good value for money transfer. Ramsey first choice or close. 
 

Said this in another thread.  Even the suggested approach requires an amount of pull and bravery im not sure we have. Like Guehi - we were scared to go to £50-£60m. Thats the same transfer as Isak, Tonali, Bruno, Hall, Livra, Gordon.  All signed with a potential premium where other clubs look back and say ‘man we should have got him’.  Semenyo fits that build last summer.  
 

It takes a bit of bravery and pull to make those transfers.  On paper Elanga at £55m is easier to justify than Gordon for £45m. Elanga was way more proven but considerably less talented. 

[Nucasol]

41 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

Why were you astounded? 

So enraged by the Wissa signing that a good old dose of VD was justified.

 

Not Van Dijk either.

[The College Dropout]

8 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

 

Ramsey was a squad signing and an upgrade on Longstaff. I assumed we were on about the failed chases for the likes of Mbeumo and Pedro et al.

Ramsey for £45m is a first team player.  More than Gallagher, Cherki, Gravenberch and Reijnders. Close to Zubimendi. 
 

That money needed to be spent on a player as good as Joelinton or better. Not Sean Longstaff. 
 

Can say the same for Elanga.  
 

In 1 summer we tried to sign 3 strikers JP, Etikite, Isak that would atleast double in value. Same position 3 young targets that need to prove something. We’ve totally abandoned that.  

[Kanj]

5 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Ramsey for £45m is a first team player.  More than Gallagher, Cherki, Gravenberch and Reijnders. Close to Zubimendi. 
 

That money needed to be spent on a player as good as Joelinton or better. Not Sean Longstaff. 
 

Can say the same for Elanga.  
 

In 1 summer we tried to sign 3 strikers JP, Etikite, Isak that would atleast double in value. Same position 3 young targets that need to prove something. We’ve totally abandoned that.  

 

The funny thing is over the last few years it seems there are no real "secrets" in transfers anymore given the depth in data and plethora of transfer rumors. For years people were saying Cherki (for example) was so brilliant technically that he was destined for bigger and better things. Same was said about Isak. We were smart then and went after him when he had a horrendous season and took that brave gamble on him. We trusted our instincts and scouting. We did that same thing for Tonali, who had a disappointing campaign after his big breakthrough. We did the same for Gordon who was considered the next big thing but nobody knew what he was capable of and many (me included) thought he was overrated and a bad egg. 

 

So looking forward -- we stopped taking gambles in exchange for as sure as a thing as you could get and we failed to get them. I agree with you 100% mate, we should have gone after J Pedro the summer after missing out on Europe. We should have began the process of looking for depth in the forward positions with Wilson's health really on the decline. Semenyo was the gamble the we should went after; hell that Rayan was linked that summer too. We muddled about for Guehi and that was the deal that should have happened. We nickel and dimed that one whilst seemingly paying whatever Brentford and Forest wanted for Wissa and Elanga. Maddening business decisions. 

[McCormick]

2 hours ago, Menace said:

Even the current sporting director has been signed because he has a good relationship with Howe ffs 

You’d rather they hate each other, like? It’s not like we hired some no-mark from the pub he frequents.

[nufcjmc]

https://theanalyst.com/articles/newcastle-progress-made-under-eddie-howe

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Kanj said:

 

The funny thing is over the last few years it seems there are no real "secrets" in transfers anymore given the depth in data and plethora of transfer rumors. For years people were saying Cherki (for example) was so brilliant technically that he was destined for bigger and better things. Same was said about Isak. We were smart then and went after him when he had a horrendous season and took that brave gamble on him. We trusted our instincts and scouting. We did that same thing for Tonali, who had a disappointing campaign after his big breakthrough. We did the same for Gordon who was considered the next big thing but nobody knew what he was capable of and many (me included) thought he was overrated and a bad egg. 

 

So looking forward -- we stopped taking gambles in exchange for as sure as a thing as you could get and we failed to get them. I agree with you 100% mate, we should have gone after J Pedro the summer after missing out on Europe. We should have began the process of looking for depth in the forward positions with Wilson's health really on the decline. Semenyo was the gamble the we should went after; hell that Rayan was linked that summer too. We muddled about for Guehi and that was the deal that should have happened. We nickel and dimed that one whilst seemingly paying whatever Brentford and Forest wanted for Wissa and Elanga. Maddening business decisions. 

We lost our nerve in players we really believed in.  
 

I’m with you - I didn’t see it in Gordon or Guehi tbh but the club backed themselves. Etikite first time would’ve been cheap but the rest were expensive given their output but yet so highly rated. 
 

Where I attribute some blame to Howe is I don’t think he loves that profile. He much prefers a sure thing.  I never thought Hall was his first choice. Slow to integrate Tino etc.

[astraguy]

8 hours ago, jemo96 said:

I’m still for Howe, I take Alex Ferguson as an example of staying power until it finally clicks. 

Ferguson’s  first years were up and down, very trial and error. 

Admittedly Howe will have to change  things and I’m hoping he’s not unwilling to do this. 
 

This close season is so important regarding signings, we have to get it spot on because I think that has been the main issue, that and his unwillingness to change up things early enough to go on and win games. 
 

Not sure there’s anyone else out there that could massively change us at the moment, at a push I’d say Pep and his team.

 

 

Basically what i've been saying, Not saying Wolt isn't a good player but he was brought in as a late resort..Wissa was the isak replacement give him the signings he wants with a dof and this season is well different

[The College Dropout]

I’m not sure Woltemade is a good player at this level. He has talent for sure. But I can see why he wasn’t considered a major talent pre-2025.  He’s good technically but not so good that it makes up for the lack of physical and mental strength. 

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

4 hours ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

Have been rejected by a few minor celebrities on Tinder, doesn’t surprise me so much. 

Child actors?!

 

Ian W. 

[healthyaddiction]

4 minutes ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

Child actors?!

 

Ian W. 

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

7 minutes ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

Child actors?!

 

Ian W. 

Come on

[NUFC91]

1 hour ago, astraguy said:

Basically what i've been saying, Not saying Wolt isn't a good player but he was brought in as a late resort..Wissa was the isak replacement give him the signings he wants with a dof and this season is well different

 

We should still be getting a far better tune out of Woltemade and Wissa, one got 17 goals last season and the other 20 and they both sat on the bench.

[Kanj]

2 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

We lost our nerve in players we really believed in.  
 

I’m with you - I didn’t see it in Gordon or Guehi tbh but the club backed themselves. Etikite first time would’ve been cheap but the rest were expensive given their output but yet so highly rated. 
 

Where I attribute some blame to Howe is I don’t think he loves that profile. He much prefers a sure thing.  I never thought Hall was his first choice. Slow to integrate Tino etc.

 

In trying to be as succinct as possible, i think the club's stated aim of being in Europe every year + taking runs at each domestic competition + Howe backing himself to deliver progress YOY slowly pushed us into that direction of "sure things"  

 

Re: Guehi i never really rated him as I never felt he was dominant in any particular area of defending but it's clear as day he was courted for his leadership and standards in addition to being a well-rounded football player. Mitchell got taken to the cleaners there and if he would have just figured out a way to get that deal done, i wonder if his relationship with Howe would have changed for the better. Who knows. 

 

At this point in football you clearly have your top-end talents who will go to the cartel clubs and the main clubs abroad, but there are clearly supremley talented players who are in the Bruno, Tonali, Isak mould that are there for the taking but you gotta do it 1 year sooner. We should have signed Maghes Akliouche for half of what he'll move for this summer. 

 

We should't be looking at Roma's keeper, it should be someone like Risser at Lens or Carnessechi at Atalanta. I saw we were linked with Palestra that fullback in Italy -- Tino should be out the door asap and Palestra should be in. There are 21-23 year old strikers in Spain, Itlay and France that should be immedialtey looked at towards the future. Gambles have to be made. 

 

 

[Coffee_Johnny]

On 14/04/2026 at 14:01, Holmesy said:

Because we hired shit managers to replace them. And that might be why so many people are shitting themselves about Eddie being replaced, because historically we've made awful decisions. But we're under new ownership now so hopefully it wouldn't happen again.

Did we though? I know hindsight can make things such things seem blindingly obvious, but on paper, at the time, were they obviously shit appointments?

Dalglish was seemingly right out of the top drawer with 4 ‘Premier League’ wins, 2 FA Cups and a League Cup. Souness had 3 Scottish League wins, 4 Scottish League Cups, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Turkish Cup. Bruce had 4 Championship and Cup runner up positions… ok you may have a point there. 

[dcmk]

44 minutes ago, NUFC91 said:

 

We should still be getting a far better tune out of Woltemade and Wissa, one got 17 goals last season and the other 20 and they both sat on the bench.

And with good reason.

[NUFC91]

14 minutes ago, dcmk said:

And with good reason.

 

Woltemade is still our top scorer in the league and hasn't played up top for months? And we chased Wissa for months and overpaid for him to sit on bench.

 

We aren't going to be able to offload them in summer so why not give them some minutes together or one of them up top, Woltemade is a good player I think it will come for him.

 

 

Edited April 15 by NUFC91

[duo]

Am sick of seeing Mourinho mentioned as an Eddie replacement - he ain't the answer.  Mourinho's best days are goooone.