Eddie Howe

[TheBrownBottle]

Just now, Cf said:

 

Fair enough if that's how you were reading it. 

 

I think it's pretty much a given though that our lack of transfer activity at this point is PSR related even if the term people are using is "backed". 

Fair dos, I think it’s probably my misreading.  PSR has knacked us more than anything else -  there shouldn’t be any doubts re that.  Howe was chasing Guehi in the summer - he knew we had an issue at RCB.  The man knows what he’s doing, and it is a shame that there’s no headroom left. 

[Ellis H]

Even by the famously elusive Howe’s admission we’ve been bidding for players so it can’t be entirely PSR. The club absolutely shouldn’t publicly explain themselves but it does lead to confusion when there’s mixed messages.

 

He said this about Guehi for example 

 

“No, he wasn’t the only target,” he said.

“I think a lot goes on into a summer. You never just have one target. That wouldn’t be right. 

“We went into the summer with several targets. We tried to sign two or three other players.

“We didn’t get them. We ended up, ultimately, towards the end of the window, with one target, and we didn’t get him, so that was it.”

 

[The Prophet]

Watching some extended highlights, Pep had his pants down today. He isn't the first and he won't be the last.

[Zero]

He definitely wasn’t being backed enough by the club - I have been saying the management has been doing a poor job for 1-2 years already. 
 

But then, people are also right to question Howe, especially on his “streaky performance”

 

 

Edited Sunday at 00:12 by Zero

[Jonas]

Howe's not been backed enough (because of the legislation) to justify anything more than what he's delivering. Its precisely the point of the rules to prevent us doing better than challenging for the CL every season and getting to cup finals. Even that is beyond what was probably anticipated.

For every Bournemouth who may well not end up doing better this season or maintain this next season (like we did) and Forest who overspent in accordance with the rules (we didn't) there's a Spurs and Man United that were doing way better than with no right to.

 

A not very good Forest under Frank Clark finished a ways ahead of a Keegan team once and Fulham, Forest and Bournemouth are ahead Emrey and Villa now.

 

[Ronaldo]

He got it a bit wrong today - it happens. But the contrast between what Pep and him have been able to do in recent windows is staggering, unfair and was always likely to manifest itself today. Man for man, they looked better all over the park. Better touches, more dynamic, better decision making.
 

There’s only so much Eddie can get out of the likes of Murphy, Gordon, Willock etc. These aren’t intelligent, supremely talented footballers as much as they’re top athletes who’ve been very well coached and catered for, for 2/3 years. My only real gripe is Trippier playing. He’s blatantly finished as a top level player.

[Ronaldo]

1 hour ago, Jonas said:

there's a Spurs and Man United that were doing way better than with no right to.

 

They’re both utter shit, managed by men completely out of their depth and on less than 30 points in mid-February. We have every right to expect to be above them with that in mind.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 01:20 by Ronaldo

[nufcjb]

My problem with today's performance was not how Man City's new signings made a difference but how different our players were compared to our game earlier this season with them.

 

We were never up for it. No need to compare the City players that played that day with who they had on today. We had mostly the same players and we were up for it back then, yet today, we were utterly dismal. That was at home and we've been shit at home recently in the league while being pretty good away but how bad it was today defies the form book and logic. Surely Howe is perplexed by this erratic league form that we're on right now.

 

and whose brilliant idea was it for us to wear the away kit for no reason today?

 

 

Edited Sunday at 01:42 by nufcjb

[looneytoon]

 

 

[southernmag]

Probably the biggest concern for me is our inconsistency, and how when we just don't show up for random games, you can see it virtually from the off. Why a) are we not showing up at all for some games (/why is there such extreme variance in our performances), and b) why is it clear from pretty much the opening whistle when we're going to have a shocker? I could bring up multiple games this season as examples.

 

Before any pitch forks come out, I'm not saying Eddie has to go. I'm just raising genuine questions, and not necessarily buying ALL of the mitigating factors. Is it possible that PSR is a crock, AND Eddie has some real limitations? 

[Maineblue]

15 hours ago, KingArthur said:

We are playing against City away, with a quite mediocre team. What are people expecting? Usually we get a whopping.

Eddie Howe set his team up wrong imo, most teams that cause us problems get everyone behind the ball and hit us on the break, with Gordon and Isak in your side this would of been quite easy to execute, instead it looked to me like he went toe to toe with City and your players we’re missing tackles and allowing City space to do whatever they want, a suicidal approach really. But I also give City credit as well, Newcastle are flying so it wasn’t an easy game.  (btw we’re all behind you in the cup final)

[Lush Vlad]

22 minutes ago, Maineblue said:

Eddie Howe set his team up wrong imo, most teams that cause us problems get everyone behind the ball and hit us on the break, with Gordon and Isak in your side this would of been quite easy to execute, instead it looked to me like he went toe to toe with City and your players we’re missing tackles and allowing City space to do whatever they want, a suicidal approach really. But I also give City credit as well, Newcastle are flying so it wasn’t an easy game.  (btw we’re all behind you in the cup final)

Not sure he did though? Looked like we were stuck halfway between both. Yet we neither pressed high with any success or conviction. Then when it got to our half. We just stood off with no pressure on the ball and committing no men on the counter.
 

So either the players were massively caught off guard with how much better you were on the day compared to performances of late and/or Howe got his team selection and tactics wrong. 
 

I remember Arsenal away in Howe’s first full season. We genuinely did go for the all out high press. Intense as fuck for 20 minutes. They took the absolute piss and bypassed it with ease. So we ended up sitting in and defending like dogs of war for a 0-0. Much to the frustration of Lego Head and their mental fans. 
 

I didn’t see either yesterday. It was like we were caught between two systems and did neither. Trippier tucking inside to make a 5 at times didn’t work at all, either. 
 

Throw in costly individual mistakes and some crap goalkeeping and it was the perfect storm for a hammering. 

[SUPERTOON]

9 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

He’s been backed, which is why we haven’t been able to spend as much as we’d like.  The rules narrow what can be done, but again there’s nothing stopping us from trading to buy. 

He has, not arguing with that. My point still stands though. We haven’t improved the team for 2 years come the summer. He’s also not at fault for us apparently overspending and being fucked last summer.

[Heron]

It is also worth noting that we didn't have the same start as some clubs with regards to our expenditure. We were absolutely stripped back to the bare bones as a club and almost nailed on for relegation.

 

Howe has been backed, but has been limited in the backing he has received owing to PSR and FFP. When we got out of a relegation fight and almost into the top 10 in half a season that was almost miraculous. When we got into the CL that was almost miraculous, given the general standard of around half (if not more) of the playing squad, to see us nearly achieve European football last season given the horrendous injuries we had to deal with (and the difficult cup ties across all fronts) was almost miraculous. You only have to look at Spurs and the bad luck portrayed by the media every other week - and big Anges whinging and whining each week. None of which we really received or took part in when it was us. Howe did a great job last year with the players available.

 

We haven't seen anything of that level this season but again, we're 3 points of the CL spots and in a cup final with another potentially on it's way. So by the end of the season, it could quite rightly be miraculous.

 

Howe is getting the absolute maximum out of half a dozen players who regularly play for us. When they don't play to their maximum we get dicked. If Man City don't play to their maximum they bring on top drawer players to fill the gaps.

 

It is more alarming the games against Fulham and Bournemouth, etc. But even so, all this immediate talk of Howes day's being numbered and questioning how long he has as soon as we have 2 or 3 bad performances or a bad loss away at Man City who were the best domestic side in the world around 12-18months ago and who won the league last season is just a bit (to say the least) toys out the pram and knee jerk.

 

We are 90 (albeit very difficult) minutes from him being immortalised in our clubs history. If we win that, then what will folks excuses be when we have two or three bad performances?

 

Last time (before Christmas) everything was his fault for the transfer activity, it was him versus Mitchell, it was he's a one trick pony, he's hit his limit. Now it's, he can't win big games, crunch games or season defining games.

 

What would people have done differently at the start of yesterday's game? Trippier out maybe? Okay - fair. But what else? Like it seems to me plenty of folk offer radical statements and problems but I see very little by way of alternatives or solutions...

 

We all know the Saudis may not be as forgiving and patient as the fans - but so far - I've seen a lot more evidence of toys out the pram from supporters not the other way around.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 07:58 by Heron

[Whitley mag]

Just watching the highlights of the game and it’s quite clear yet again it’s the space between our defence and midfield that is the problem.

 

If our press is working well and the opposition is struggling we can get away with it, once a team breaks our press the gaps are huge.

 

Despite having 2 great technicians in midfield we still can’t dominate possession in many games.

 

In his time Howe has remained fixated on the 3 man midfield, surely there comes a point in the last couple of season he considers a double pivot like many of the top teams play.

 

I think Bruno and Tonali would work as a double pivot and I’m still yet to be convinced about Bruno as an 8, he just doesn’t have the physical attributes required for this role in my opinion and is often left chasing shadows.

[Maineblue]

9 hours ago, Shays Given Tim Flowers said:

Many were saying Bruno was one of, if not the best, midfielder to play for Newcastle in the Premier League. If city were full strength would he even start? Would Schar, Burn, Trippier, Murphy, Dubravaka, Joelinton, get meaningful game time at Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea? 
 

The playing squad is a far bigger check on our position than Eddies managerial ability. 

He would start for City ahead of Gundogan that’s for sure especially this season, in seasons past no he wouldn’t get into our starting 11.

[Dr Venkman]

Good post @Heron and the post match above underlines the difference in Howe’s approach to solving problems. Plenty of other managers would have been excruciating in that interview, mate. He’s clearly annoyed but thoughtful and respectful with it. Be patient with Howe, he has more than earned it.

[Maineblue]

41 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

Not sure he did though? Looked like we were stuck halfway between both. Yet we neither pressed high with any success or conviction. Then when it got to our half. We just stood off with no pressure on the ball and committing no men on the counter.
 

So either the players were massively caught off guard with how much better you were on the day compared to performances of late and/or Howe got his team selection and tactics wrong. 
 

I remember Arsenal away in Howe’s first full season. We genuinely did go for the all out high press. Intense as fuck for 20 minutes. They took the absolute piss and bypassed it with ease. So we ended up sitting in and defending like dogs of war for a 0-0. Much to the frustration of Lego Head and their mental fans. 
 

I didn’t see either yesterday. It was like we were caught between two systems and did neither. Trippier tucking inside to make a 5 at times didn’t work at all, either. 
 

Throw in costly individual mistakes and some crap goalkeeping and it was the perfect storm for a hammering. 

Agree with a lot of this, especially that you were caught in two minds about whether to press or not, but playing on the counter and that first goal doesn’t happen, there would of been 2 maybe 3 defenders there defending that long punt down field from Edderson.

[STM]

8 hours ago, Ronaldo said:

He got it a bit wrong today - it happens. But the contrast between what Pep and him have been able to do in recent windows is staggering, unfair and was always likely to manifest itself today. Man for man, they looked better all over the park. Better touches, more dynamic, better decision making.
 

There’s only so much Eddie can get out of the likes of Murphy, Gordon, Willock etc. These aren’t intelligent, supremely talented footballers as much as they’re top athletes who’ve been very well coached and catered for, for 2/3 years. My only real gripe is Trippier playing. He’s blatantly finished as a top level player.

 

Have a  from me. Howe has worked miracles.

 

imagine what he could do with some more top quality... bigger miracles.

[NEEJ]

In each of Howe's seasons with us we've gained at least 18 points from the last 10 fixtures. I've no doubt we'll finish strongly again, but it's imperative we beat Forest and get something at West Ham to give ourselves the best chance of a European place. 

[wyn davies]

How many have lost since the run, minimum of 3, I think, then yesterday, and the next 3 don't look good , can't keep relying on having a good run in.

[The Prophet]

He went for the man for man press again and as Burn said post-match v Arsenal, you have to get it spot on or you're in trouble. 

 

This time we were at least a yard off, meaning when Schar was pulled into midfield, City were almost always able to create an overload out wide.

 

Perhaps in hindsight he should have binned it off and gone for our standard midblock we pull out later in games, but our players looked so off it, who knows if it would have made a difference.

 

That's the most bizarre thing about this season. When we're good, we look excellent, but when we're poor we look lethargic and tactically naive. It's very strange and has been quite evident since August.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 10:00 by The Prophet

[Scoot]

14 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

That's the most bizarre thing about this season. When we're good, we look excellent, but when we're poor we look lethargic and tactically naive. It's very strange and has been quite evident since August.

 

That's my main thing at the minute. We just never know which Newcastle is going to turn up. When we're good we're really good, but when we're shit we seem to hit new depths of shitness which seem really concerning. It's really annoying.

 

We have a big summer ahead and we need to ship quite a few players out if we can - Longstaff, Willock, Trippier, Pope, Targett, Wilson, to name a few. Then buy players who improve the first 11 and the bench who we can fetch on and can actually change a game. 

 

I don't want to hear Eddie wants to keep player A or player B. This squad needs a big refresh as if we go another season with not much improvement with the squad being another year older too, we'll massively struggle next season.

 

 

Edited Sunday at 10:06 by Scoot

[The Prophet]

2 minutes ago, Scoot said:

 

That's my main thing at the minute. We just never know which Newcastle is going to turn up. When we're good we're really good, but when we're shit we seem to hit new depths of shitness which seem really concerning. It's really annoying.

 

We have a big summer ahead and we need to ship quite a few players out if we can - Longstaff, Willock, Trippier, Pope, Targett, Wilson, to name a few. Then buy players who improve the first 11 and the bench who we can fetch on and can actually change a game. 

 

I don't want to hear Eddie wants to keep player A or player B. This squad needs a big refresh as if we go another season with not much improvement with the squad being another year older too, we'll massively struggle next season.

 

 

 

 

You may be disappointed. Howe will (rightfully) always opt for diplomacy when asked about his players futures.

[OverThere]

That was a game for another 5-4-1..