This season

[toptoon]

Another performance and result showing were just not ?at the races? this season. Im interested to know peoples thoughts why?
Injuries, too many players off form, or is it because of a poor transfer window/pre season ie. Judas and/or the inability to sign who we wanted.
Or, is it all Eddie?s fault?

Thoughts?

[Zippity]

It's a mixture of everything you said, TT

Ultimately, although the reasons for it are among those you've mentioned, for me, the key has been our change in style.

Without our intensity, our press, our dynamism, we're a nothing team. Eddie has taken away what made us brilliant but, as yet, hasn't found a new way to play.

We don't shoot, we pass poorly, we go sideways and backwards way too often...we just don't have a style and the players look lost.

We need to get back to what we used to do so well because, if we don't, we'll just meekly slip out of every competition, including European qualification.

Currently, our Plan A is shit and Plan B is Plan A with different players on as subs.

All very disheartening.

[toptoon]

Sure. Ill break my own mould a bit here and put some blame on Howe (NB I dont want him sacked!!!)
Pope
Tino. Thiaw. Botman. Hall

Sandro. Bruno. J7

You look at the sheer quality of this defence and midfield on paper and then the sh*te thats often served up this season??? Somethings wrong. We should be seeing smart interpassing and some flowing moves with that talent.
Our best games are when we high press and force mistakes - its hard to remember us making any plays that carve open opponents. Also the quality of passing this season has been atrocious - it doesnt fit with those quality players.

[OwdBillCook]

Dunno. I'm baffled.
Thoroughly enjoyed the game against PSV. Haven't been able to watch too many others.
But the one's I have watched, we often seem sluggish, devoid of ideas, passing back almost as often as forwards. Kind of adrift.
Yep, there are reasons. The reasons are beginning to look a bit like excuses.
If this doesn't change pretty soon, we can kiss goodbye to CL next season.
If this doesn't change soon, then legitimate questions will have to be asked about Eddie, I'm afraid

[HughieG]

We should be seeing smart interpassing and some flowing moves with that talent.

This is essentially everything that Eddie and co. should be looking at in training and in matches. It's not just a good idea, it's necessary.

[tinostongue]

Dunno. I'm baffled.
Thoroughly enjoyed the game against PSV. Haven't been able to watch too many others.
But the one's I have watched, we often seem sluggish, devoid of ideas, passing back almost as often as forwards. Kind of adrift.
Yep, there are reasons. The reasons are beginning to look a bit like excuses.
If this doesn't change pretty soon, we can kiss goodbye to CL next season.
If this doesn't change soon, then legitimate questions will have to be asked about Eddie, I'm afraid

The players look bored and uninterested,maybe they are sick of the “ style” which to be honest is boring to watch so must be boring to play in! Poor summer signings apart from Thiaw, can’t see Nick making it here unless Eddie changes our style. If he won’t then I would sell him to a team he’s suited to, he must be VERY unhappy! Midfield too slow and predictable,sideways,back,forward back, sideways, jeez man it’s BORING as hell! Villa were slick,quick passing, movement,motivated all the things we aren’t and have to ask WHY? This is what the coaches get paid very handsomely to sort out, if there’s no improvement I fear the worst.

[Cannylad]

The players look bored and uninterested,maybe they are sick of the ?“ style?” which to be honest is boring to watch so must be boring to play in! Poor summer signings apart from Thiaw, can?’t see Nick making it here unless Eddie changes our style. If he won?’t then I would sell him to a team he?’s suited to, he must be VERY unhappy! Midfield too slow and predictable,sideways,back,forward back, sideways, jeez man it?’s BORING as hell! Villa were slick,quick passing, movement,motivated all the things we aren?’t and have to ask WHY? This is what the coaches get paid very handsomely to sort out, if there?’s no improvement I fear the worst.

Exactly, but it seems everyone walks on egg shells around Eddie ?

[toptoon]

Exactly, but it seems everyone walks on egg shells around Eddie ?

Its not walking on egg shells, its appreciating the massive improvement in results hes brought with relatively little resources.
Of course he can be criticised but anyone wanting him out either doesnt understand football or needs their head checked.

[HughieG]

Exactly, but it seems everyone walks on egg shells around Eddie ?

Two scenarios:

A) Eddie can?t see it, thinks everything is going mighty fine and isn?t actively working to improve our form right at this minute
The opposite of A

[Ragatino]

From my perspective it looks like a case of 'Steady Eddie'

The form is inconsistent, he's said in pressers, 'Changing things too when results are good often causes more harm than good.'

I get the feeling the idea is to play through the poor form.

It's clear that Barnes & Bruno have had to step up to cover the rest of the attacking player poor form.

Murphy & Gordon's numbers have dropped off a cliff this season in the League. That is as much as issue as Meatball's departure.

Gordon's spent more time passing back and running towards his own goal this season than at any time in his career, esp. in League games away from home against teams in the lower reaches of the Prem.

Had he stepped up as was expected of him to cover some of the goals lost by No.14's departure, that and Murphy still firing to find a striker contributing with assists things would look a lot more rosy.

- The point I'm making.

The squad has been out of form in general. A firing NUFC with a better integrated group of Summer signings would negate these discussions.

I get Eddie's point despite the poor performances.

There is a lot of football yet to play. Going out of the Cups will focus the squad on the league and wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

A respectable last 16, last 8 of the UCL and then a good consistent run of wins to the end of the league campaign would do me.

[Cannylad]

Its not walking on egg shells, its appreciating the massive improvement in results hes brought with relatively little resources.
Of course he can be criticised but anyone wanting him out either doesnt understand football or needs their head checked.

Oh I agree, wanting him out is nuts but I think he needs to vary his tactics, other teams can read us like a book now as per Aston Villa.

[Zippity]

I think that's why Gordon is more successful in the Champions League-teams haven't quite worked him/us out yet.

[Ragatino]

Teams have a go in the UCL.

In the 'The lack of quality in the Premier League this season' thread it was trying to make the point about the anti-football style.

This season it's applauded now that Arsenal, the team who's former manager, Wenger lambasted as the dead of the game and lobbied and urged the Premier League to change rules to discourage this type of play, are championing.

The dark arts, lego heed, whined about when it was NUFC dabbling to great success in the Semi last season and on the other occasion since we became a direct threat to the red Cartel, is now 'clever', shrewd tactics being implemented by those scumbags.


More long range shots need to be taken, with the attackers, gambling like Willock to hunt for rebounds and tap-ins.